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Melbourne vs Auckland

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

melbourne from shrine of rememberance
Melbourne
$3,119/month · Australia
Melbpal · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 monthly
$3,119
Index 49 (NYC = 100)
Auckland monthly
$3,179
Index 50 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+2%
Auckland relative to Melbourne
Rent gap
$180
Auckland costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MelbourneAuckland
  • Housing
    Housing: Melbourne $1,700, Auckland $1,880. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Food
    Food: Melbourne $804, Auckland $758. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Transport
    Transport: Melbourne $180, Auckland $114. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Melbourne $153, Auckland $160. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Melbourne $26, Auckland $23. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Melbourne $152, Auckland $148. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Other
    Other: Melbourne $105, Auckland $96. 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

MetricMelbourneAuckland
Cost
Total monthly cost3,119 USD✓3,179 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)49✓50
Housing1,700 USD✓1,880 USD
Utilities153 USD✓160 USD
Food804 USD758 USD✓
Transport180 USD114 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD23 USD✓
Lifestyle152 USD148 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD✓5,948 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%✓28.6%
Left over each month3,057 USD✓2,769 USD
Average local net salary3,700 USD✓3,000 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓1,880 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD✓3,383 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/10074/100
Healthcare88/100✓80/100
Air quality86/10092/100✓
Public transport84/100✓52/100
Walkability82/100✓60/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife92/100✓66/100
Family friendliness84/10084/100
Median broadband90 Mbps150 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C15°C
Summer high26°C24°C✓
Winter low6°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,200 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall650 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min20 min✓
CurrencyAUDNZD
Time zoneAustralia/MelbournePacific/Auckland

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

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Cost of living in MelbourneCost of living in AucklandConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Melbourne or Auckland cheaper?

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

What salary do you need in Auckland compared with Melbourne?

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

Which has better quality of life, Melbourne or Auckland?

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