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Auckland vs Melbourne

Auckland and Melbourne cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

A few snaps around the North Island, NZ. Locations include Waiheke, Auckland city, Devonport, Whangamata, Mt Eden
Auckland
$3,179/month · New Zealand
elpinto007 · CC BY-SA 2.0
melbourne from shrine of rememberance
Melbourne
$3,119/month · Australia
Melbpal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Auckland monthly
$3,179
Index 50 (NYC = 100)
Melbourne monthly
$3,119
Index 49 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-2%
Melbourne relative to Auckland
Rent gap
$180
Auckland costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AucklandMelbourne
  • Housing
    Housing: Auckland $1,880, Melbourne $1,700. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Food
    Food: Auckland $758, Melbourne $804. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Transport
    Transport: Auckland $114, Melbourne $180. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Auckland $160, Melbourne $153. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Auckland $23, Melbourne $26. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Auckland $148, Melbourne $152. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Other
    Other: Auckland $96, Melbourne $105. Cheaper in Auckland.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAucklandMelbourne
Cost
Total monthly cost3,179 USD3,119 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5049✓
Housing1,880 USD1,700 USD✓
Utilities160 USD153 USD✓
Food758 USD✓804 USD
Transport114 USD✓180 USD
Healthcare23 USD✓26 USD
Lifestyle148 USD✓152 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,948 USD6,176 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%25.9%✓
Left over each month2,769 USD3,057 USD✓
Average local net salary3,000 USD3,700 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,880 USD1,700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,383 USD3,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre7,000 USD✓8,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/10074/100
Healthcare80/10088/100✓
Air quality92/100✓86/100
Public transport52/10084/100✓
Walkability60/10082/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife66/10092/100✓
Family friendliness84/10084/100
Median broadband150 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C15°C
Summer high24°C✓26°C
Winter low8°C✓6°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,200 h✓
Annual rainfall1200 mm650 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access20 min✓25 min
CurrencyNZDAUD
Time zonePacific/AucklandAustralia/Melbourne

Auckland and Melbourne cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in AucklandCost of living in MelbourneConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Auckland or Melbourne cheaper?

Auckland and Melbourne cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Melbourne compared with Auckland?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,948 a month in Auckland and $6,176 in Melbourne, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Auckland or Melbourne?

Auckland scores 74/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Melbourne scores 74 and 88. Auckland averages 15°C against 15°C in Melbourne.