![Cost of Living in Auckland [2024]](https://cdn.wisemove.co.nz/image/blog/6ee95ae9bf93c99ac8b1faf7198008ce.jpeg "Cost of Living in Auckland [2024]")
There are lots of good reasons to consider a move to Auckland. With beautiful beaches and bustline cafes and nightlife all within a stone's throw of one another, Auckland can offer the perfect balance of work hard, play hard for, but how much do you need to earn to get the most out of the city?
Before moving to our biggest city, the cost of living in Auckland is something you should factor into your budget.
With 1.7 million residents, there are jobs in every industry that you won’t find in other cities. From start-ups to New Zealand’s biggest companies, film, television and news media, the Auckland job market opens up a world of opportunities.
Moving to Auckland can be an excellent decision for your career, but a booming economy isn’t the only reason to consider Auckland. The city is family-friendly, beautiful, welcoming and safe.
In Auckland City, the mean income is $71,000, while the average household income is $154,997.
Read more living guides on Auckland:
Auckland might have higher rates of pay than most parts of the country, but the price of housing and rent is higher too. It’s second to only Wellington as the most expensive place to live.
Traffic can be a downside to living in Auckland. It’s more spread out than compact cities like Wellington, and getting across the city in rush hour can take hours. According to the Auckland City Council, Auckland commuters spend 20 working days stuck in traffic every year.
Auckland is one of our most diverse populations, with over 180 ethnicities represented in its population. 42% of residents were born overseas, and 30% of Aucklanders speak two or more languages. The city is 33% Asian, 18% Pacifica, 14% Maori and 63% European.
When it comes to the cost of living in Auckland, accommodation is one of the most significant expenses. Auckland’s rental and housing market has been booming for decades.
If you’re a young professional or just someone who wants to rent a home near to the action, check out the following suburbs that are close to the city, bus and public transport. These include:
Auckland is a big, sprawling city, so it’s a good idea to consider the areas you will be working, studying or commuting to regularly before choosing a suburb to live in.
The 2023 Trade Me Rental Price Index showed Auckland had a median weekly rent of $660.
Auckland's north shore is more expensive, with a median weekly rent of $730. The most expensive suburb to buy in is Herne Bay, which has a median house price of $3.16 million. The most affordable suburbs in Auckland are Auckland Central, Grafton, Manukau and Clendon Park, which has a median apartment price of $300,000.
Another option to offset the cost of living in Auckland is to move into an existing flat or get flatmates.
If you are looking to rent a room, check out the following sites for flatmate wanted ads:
Auckland has always been an expensive city to buy a home in compared to New Zealand. In the ten years between October 2011 and October 2021, the median Auckland house price shot up by $780,000 (from $470,000 to $1.25 million). In 2023, the average Auckland home is worth $1,052,000.
That’s an average return of 10% per year!
Despite Auckland being an expensive city to buy in, there are still areas that experts believe are undervalued in the property market. Houses in the Hibiscus Coast to the north of Auckland, Howick in East Auckland and Franklin to the south of Auckland are all considered undervalued according to opespartners.co.nz
The Waitakere Ranges, Henderson, and most of Auckland Central are considered overvalued. Properties in the far south, east and west of Auckland are the most affordable, while Auckland city, Rodney and Howard are more expensive to buy in.
Auckland’s population is expected to grow by another 30% in the next two decades.
Auckland comprises 55 suburbs, each with its own unique culture. Here are some popular city suburbs:
The central city is a great option for young professionals that want to be close to their work, bars, clubs and nightlife. The central city is also close to the railway station, ferries, buses and green spaces so you won’t feel stuck in a concrete jungle.
Apartments are available at around $270-$370 a room or $430-$800 per week for a two-bedroom. Many more expensive apartments also come with amenities such as storage and gyms.
Ponsonby is an upper-market suburb, but it is close to the city and has many good newly renovated houses and apartments to choose from.
A one-bedroom apartment costs around $520 a week or $770 for a two-bedroom. A 3-4 bedroom home can cost between $1,500-$2,000 per week.
A two to three-bedroom home costs around $300-$400 per week for people looking to rent.
Grey Lynn has a reputation as a younger, creative suburb thanks to the number of Millenials looking to make it their home. It’s not as cheap as it used to be, but its proximity to Ponsonby and the central city makes it a popular option.
You can find a three-bedroom Grey Lynn apartment for about $710 per week or a two-bedroom for $850 per week. A room for rent will cost between $300 and $350.
Parnell used to be home to artistic, eclectic, working-class types, but today, it’s a popular and very desirable location to live in. Parnell can be an excellent spot for families as it’s zoned for many great schools.
A three-bedroom house costs between $780-$880 per week (on the cheaper end). Luxury rentals can go for $2,800 per week, pool included. There are two-bedroom apartments priced between $650 and $700 per week.
It’s far cheaper to rent a room in an existing flat in Parnell. Rooms rent for between $260 and $370 per week.
Meadowbank is an excellent option for families with children to consider. There are many great primary schools, and rents are cheaper than Remuera and the Eastern Bays. Meadowbank is suburban Auckland living at its best.
Rents are more expensive than in other suburbs as you will generally be renting out a home rather than an apartment. 3-bedroom homes are priced between $750 and $1200 per week.
There aren’t a lot of places to rent a room in Meadowbank, but individual rooms are priced at around $260 per week.
Otahuhu has excellent access to the train station, is a highly walkable suburb and becoming increasingly popular with Millenial home buyers.
It’s still possible to rent a 1-bedroom in Otahuhu for less than $400 per week. Two-bedroom are priced at around $480 per week and three-beds at $630 per week.
Auckland might not be a cheap place to live, but there are plenty of accessible and affordable options for doing things in the city.
Auckland is full of stunning coastlines, thundering waterfalls, quirky urban strolls and native bush, all accessible or within an hour of the city. Hike the 3 hours 20 minute Te Henga cliff top walk from Bethells Beach to Muriwai.
Not far away is Muriwai Beach Gannet Colony, home to New Zealand’s largest population of migrating gannets.
Hike Rangitoto Island in just two hours. This walk takes you past lava fields and the world’s largest pōhutukawa forest and rewards you with views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.
Explore Tāwharanui Peninsula for the birds and the views. This 3.3km return hike is excellent for bird spotting and sea views.
For some urban trekking, visit the shops on Kairangahape Road. Enjoy the eclectic collection of shops and cafes during the day or visit Anthology Lounge or Neck of the Woods for live music at night.
Explore more than 400 displays of free public art around the city.
Read more things to do in Auckland:
Auckland has a jam-packed calendar when it comes to events, but here are a few regular ones you may want to look out for.
Tennis fans rejoice! Check out the world’s best men’s and women’s champions at the ASB Classic every summer. This tournament happens in early January every year.
Catch the best of New Zealand and international artists at Laneways Festival in February. Tickets start from $179-$219.
Fancy something a little different? Enjoy three days of this outrigger and paddle festival, perfect for amateur and expert paddlers keen to get on the water.
Put on your best outfit and fascinator, or suit and tie and head to Ellerslie for a week of amazing outfits and exceptional horse racing at Auckland Cup Week in March.
Enjoy the culture and festivities from 11 Pacific island nations at the annual Pasifika Festival Auckland.
When figuring out the cost of living in Auckland, expect to eat and drink a lot of your budget. Aucklandians like to go out. Whether it’s Saturday brunch or Wednesday after-work drinks, there is no wrong time to hit the city.
According to the comparison website Glimp, a single household shop per week in Auckland comes out to $145.10. This is more expensive than all other urban areas of New Zealand.
Auckland has no end of dining out options from fine dining to fast-casual options and a wide range of international cuisine. Check out some of these Auckland favourites.
Cheap eats $20 - $25:
Reasonably priced $25 - $55:
Fine Dining: $55+
Craft Beer $12-$15/drink
Wine Bars $12-$70/glass
Cocktails $15-22/drink
Auckland is a sprawling city, and it pays to own a vehicle to get around. If you don’t have your own wheels, the city has a network of trains, buses, and ferries servicing the wider city. 
The Auckland Transport website has live information on how much parking is available in their inner-city car parks. Check out their site here before you travel.
Auckland City is segmented into three different parking zones, all with different rates and hours of use. The inner-city parking map gives a detailed outline of where to park and what to pay.
ZONE 1
Monday - Friday, 8 am – 6 pm $5 per hour (up to 2 hours), $10 per hour (after 2 hours)
Monday - Friday, 6 pm - 10 pm $2.50 per hour (up to 2 hours) $5 per hour (after 2 hours)
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 8 am – 10 pm $2.50 per hour (up to 2 hours) $5 per hour (after 2 hours)
ZONE 2
Monday - Friday, 8 am – 6 pm $3.50 per hour (up to 2 hours) $7 per hour (after 2 hours)
Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm $1.50 per hour (up to 2 hours) $3 per hour (after 2 hours) [
ZONE 3
Monday - Friday, 8 am – 6 pm $3 per hour $6 per hour (after 2 hours)
Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm $1.50 per hour (up to 2 hours) $3 per hour (after 2 hours)
Now that you have a good idea of the cost of living in Auckland, it might be time to think about moving. For that, you’ll need a moving company you can rely on. Wise Move has an extensive network of moving companies that can get you from your current home to Auckland in no time. Find a Man with a Van or moving service for your next move.
Wise Move is a platform, where people find moving companies and independent movers. Our platform is the first of its kind in New Zealand, giving customers access to reliable, cost-effective and user-reviewed service providers with just a few short steps. Founded back in 2017, our focus has always been on making moving as simple and as effortless as possible for both customers and the professionals they rely on.
![How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Auckland? [2024]](https://cdn.wisemove.co.nz/image/blog/e3b1ef89c1e25d415a1298f2f35cdd55.jpeg "How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Auckland? [2024]")
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![The Cost of Living in Queenstown [2024]](https://cdn.wisemove.co.nz/image/blog/dac6744ceeec301cb10f558054b2c899.jpeg "The Cost of Living in Queenstown [2024]")
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![How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Auckland? [2024]](https://cdn.wisemove.co.nz/image/blog/a6c9fabaf213365fe94a9ab210681a2a.jpeg "How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Auckland? [2024]")
