Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Auckland vs Melbourne
Auckland vs Melbourne cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ณ๐ฟ Auckland
๐ฆ๐บ MelbourneAuckland is 10% cheaper than Melbourne
Living on $5,511 a month in Auckland feels like about $6,213 in Melbourne โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$304 vs $324
Per month
$5,511 vs $6,213
Local meal
NZ$ 23 vs A$ 22
$13.9 vs $14.7
Taxi 5 km
NZ$ 25 vs A$ 22
$15.2 vs $14.7
At a glance
FoodAuckland 6% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportAuckland 6% cheaper
StayAuckland 12% cheaper
FunAuckland 6% cheaper
- Where Auckland is clearly cheaper: Transit (19%โ), Studio rent (month) (16%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Auckland | Melbourne | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | NZ$ 23$13.9 | A$ 22$14.7 | Auckland โ5% |
| Street food1 item | NZ$ 10$6.06 | A$ 9.9$6.6 | Auckland โ8% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | NZ$ 63$38.2 | A$ 60$40 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | NZ$ 6.5$3.94 | A$ 6$4 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | NZ$ 12$7.27 | A$ 10$6.67 | Melbourne โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | NZ$ 31$18.8 | A$ 26$17.3 | Melbourne โ8% |
| Bottled water | NZ$ 3$1.82 | A$ 2.5$1.67 | Melbourne โ8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | NZ$ 7.5$4.55 | A$ 6.3$4.2 | Melbourne โ8% |
| Taxi5 km in town | NZ$ 25$15.2 | A$ 22$14.7 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | NZ$ 20$12.1 | A$ 18$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | NZ$ 4$2.42 | A$ 4.5$3 | Auckland โ19% |
| Scooter rentalper day | NZ$ 82$49.7 | A$ 75$50 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | NZ$ 280$170 | A$ 280$187 | Auckland โ9% |
| Studio rent (month) | NZ$ 2,600$1,576 | A$ 2,800$1,867 | Auckland โ16% |
| Laundry | NZ$ 8$4.85 | A$ 7.5$5 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | NZ$ 33$20 | A$ 30$20 | similar |
| Haircutcut | NZ$ 46$27.9 | A$ 42$28 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | NZ$ 130$78.8 | A$ 120$80 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | NZ$ 150$90.9 | A$ 140$93.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | NZ$ 36$21.8 | A$ 38$25.3 | Auckland โ14% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Auckland or Melbourne?
Auckland is 10% cheaper than Melbourne. Daily budget $304 vs $324; a month $5,511 vs $6,213.
How do monthly costs compare between Auckland and Melbourne?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Auckland is about $5,511 and Melbourne about $6,213 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.