How Much Does It Cost To Move to New Zealand From the US?

The average cost to move to New Zealand from the US is $17,000. Your main cost factors include the size, distance, and shipping method of your move, as well as visa fees, airline tickets, and housing.

Here’s a quick look at related costs:

  • Shipping method: Most of your moving costs will come from shipping your belongings to New Zealand (it is on the other side of the globe, after all). Sea freight is cheaper than air freight, though it is much more expensive to ship items from the East Coast than the West Coast.
  • Airline tickets: Even the fastest nonstop flights from Los Angeles to New Zealand are over 12 hours long. Expect to pay $400 to $1,000 per ticket depending on your location and airline.
  • Temporary housing: Rather than locking in a long-term rental right away, you’ll probably need to rent an Airbnb or VRBO while you look for a more permanent place to live. Budget to stay in a short-term rental for at least a month.
  • Other living expenses: Shipping belongings to New Zealand takes a long time. Set aside extra money to stock up on food and other necessities that you’ll need when you first move in.
  • Visa fees: New Zealand’s residence visa fees range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

In this guide, we’ll cover the expected costs for moving to New Zealand from the US, as well as what you can expect from the country’s cost of living. And of course, we’ll also give you some tips on finding the right international moving companies who will help your move go smoothly.

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Average cost of moving to New Zealand from the US

New Zealand is one of the farthest countries from the US – so moving there can be pretty expensive. On average, you can expect to pay $15,000-$22,000 for your move to New Zealand, with the size of your move and your starting and ending locations being major factors.

Your moving costs will also depend on whether you use sea freight or air freight. Sea freight is slower but cheaper, while air freight is faster, but more expensive.

moving cost from the us to new zealand

Sea freight costs from the US to New Zealand

Sea freight is the most common option for shipping belongings to New Zealand, since it is much cheaper than air freight and allows you to send more stuff. Because of New Zealand’s distance from the United States, however, sea freight can still get rather expensive (especially if you’re shipping from the East Coast).

Because New Zealand is so far away, it could take as long as two months to deliver your shipment. Some expats online note that because of this, they needed to buy necessities they had packed in their shipping container while waiting for their belongings to arrive.

Pack wisely, and try to time your flight so that you’ll arrive closer to the estimated delivery date of your sea freight shipment.

From To Container Cost* Delivery Timeline
Los Angeles Auckland $7,142 35-49 days
New York City Auckland $14,272 42-56 days
Los Angeles Wellington $7,111 35-49 days
New York City Wellington $15,744 42-56 days

*Based on a 20-foot container


Air freight costs from the US to New Zealand

Air freight has the advantage of being much faster than sea freight, especially for moves to New Zealand. Using air freight ensures you’ll have the items you need the most as soon as you arrive. However, it is also several times more expensive to ship your belongings using air freight.

It’s also worth noting that air freight shipments have much smaller capacity – you can’t fit the whole contents of a 20-foot shipping container on a plane. This makes air freight better suited for smaller shipments, such as if you only plan to bring a few necessities with you. You’ll need to leave furniture and other bulky items in the US or ship them via sea freight.

From To Shipping Costs* Delivery Timeline
Los Angeles Auckland $729 2-4 days
New York City Auckland $730 2-4 days
Los Angeles Wellington $729 2-4 days
New York City Wellington $730 2-4 days

*Based on a 550 pound shipment


How much does it cost to live in New Zealand?

Even though it is an island nation, the cost of living in New Zealand is actually less expensive than the US. According to Numbeo, the average monthly cost of living in New Zealand is $3,486.60 without rent – 13.1% lower than the United States. Rent is even less expensive, averaging 41.2% lower per month than in the US.

Of course, whether something is more or less expensive in New Zealand or the US can vary. For example, while restaurant meals and groceries are usually cheaper in New Zealand, public transportation can be more expensive.

While the cost of living in New Zealand is lower than in the US, this is partly because of lower local salaries. The average monthly salary in New Zealand is just $2,854.50, which gives New Zealanders less purchasing power than Americans.

Housing costs in New Zealand

Housing is an interesting part of the cost of living in New Zealand. If you plan to rent, you’ll pay less than in the US. But if you want to buy, you’ll probably pay more. For example, renting an apartment in Auckland will range from 20%-32.7% cheaper than Philadelphia, PA.

But if you want to buy a property, expect to pay 130.1%-165.4% more.

Apartment Auckland Philadelphia % Difference
1BR rental $1,198.42 $1,779.89 -32.7%
3BR rental $2,297.79 $3,115.69 -26.3%
Price per sq. ft. (for purchase) $724.74 $315.01 +130.1%

Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Auckland and Philadelphia (March 2025)


With two main islands, New Zealand offers a wide range of places to live. The north island is warmer, with more cities and white sand beaches. The south island offers cooler weather with stunning mountain views. Websites like realestate.co.nz can be a good resource for finding properties for sale or for rent. It’s also a good idea to check with expat groups online for recommendations about specific cities or neighborhoods.

Here are some of the top cities to live in New Zealand:

  • Auckland: Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand and also employs the most foreigners. Located on the warmer upper side of the North Island, Auckland is near mountain ranges, parks, and beaches.
  • Wellington: Wellington is the capital of New Zealand because of its central location. Wellington is on the southern tip of the North Island, connecting it to the South Island. It’s surrounded by forests, parks, mountains, and a long coastline.
  • Rotorua: Rotorua is in the central region of the North Island. Located next to Lake Rotorua, the town is 10 miles inland from the coastline and flanked by mountains. In Rotorua, you can enjoy geothermal springs, mud pools, and the Māori culture.
  • Christchurch: Christchurch is on the eastern side of the South Island. It’s the largest city on the South Island and includes lots of attractions, such as hiking, gondola rides, botanical gardens, and a zoo.
  • Queenstown: Queenstown is located on the lower half of the South Island, on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Queenstown has access to adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding, but is also popular for its wine trails, hot pools, and skyline gondola.

Utilities costs in New Zealand

One perk about living in New Zealand is that your utilities costs will be much lower than in the US. For basic utilities like electricity, water, and heating and cooling, Auckland residents pay an average of 47.8% less than Philadelphia residents. You’ll also get lower costs on phone and internet plans, making it easy to stay connected to friends and family back home.

Utility Auckland Philadelphia % Difference
*Basic housing utilities $136.87 $262.21 -47.8%
Internet $46.56 $71.75 -35.1%
Monthly cell phone plan $29.12 $62.29 -53.2%

Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Auckland and Philadelphia (March 2025)

*Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment (March 2025)


Food costs in New Zealand

If you’re worried about your food bill, it’s mostly good news when moving to New Zealand. While eggs and milk tend to be more expensive in New Zealand than in the US, most other staples are cheaper. For example, rice, bread, apples, and cheese are all more than 50% cheaper in New Zealand than in the US. You’ll also save 17.6%-28.7% when eating out at a restaurant.

Food Auckland Philadelphia % Difference
Fast food meal $9.04 $12.00 -24.6%
3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant $74.18 $90.00 -17.6%
Gallon of milk $6.14 $5.27 +16.5%
1 dozen eggs $6.46 $4.44 +45.5%

Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Auckland and Philadelphia (March 2025)


Transportation costs in New Zealand

Transportation is one area where you’ll generally spend more in New Zealand. Taxis and public transportation range from 2.7%-47.8% more expensive, depending on the mode of transportation you use. Gasoline is also 72% more expensive in Auckland than in Philadelphia. That being said, if you plan on buying a car that is built for driving on the left side of the road, you can at least expect to spend 13.8%-20.5% less than in the US.

Transportation Mode Auckland Philadelphia % Difference
One-way public transit ticket $2.57 $2.50 +2.7%
Monthly public transit pass $122.68 $96.00 +27.8%
Cost of one gallon of gas $6.08 $3.53 +72.0%
*Cost to buy a new car $20,666.51 $25,990.62 -20.5%

Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Auckland and Philadelphia (March 2025)
*Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort or equivalent new vehicle (March 2025)


Education costs in New Zealand

New Zealand’s education system is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world. However, only New Zealand citizens and permanent residents have access to free education. This means you’ll have to pay for your kids to go to school until you get permanent resident status. Fortunately, if you’re paying for private school, expect rates to be 57.7%-68.6% less than what you would pay in the US.

Type of Education Auckland Philadelphia % Difference
Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) $878.56 $2,076.67 -57.7%
International primary school (annual) $13,557.81 $43,200.00 -68.6%

Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of Auckland and Philadelphia (March 2025)


New Zealand’s visa & immigration requirements

New Zealand offers several types of long-term visas that could lead to permanent residency or citizenship. With these visa programs, you can typically apply for permanent residency after living in the country for two to four years.

  • Work visas: New Zealand has several different work visa programs, based on the type of job you have and your industry. Priority is given to people who work in a field where New Zealand has a recognized skill shortage.
  • Entrepreneur work visa: This visa lets you move to New Zealand to set up your own business. You must have a business plan and NZD $100,000 (about $57,000) available to invest in startup costs to qualify for this visa.
  • Temporary retirement visitor visa: Individuals who are at least 66 years old, have an annual income of at least NZD $60,000, are able to invest NZD $750,000, and have assets of NZD $500,000 that they can live on for two years qualify for this visa. Parents of New Zealand residents have a separate visa program.

It can take six to 14 months to process your visa, depending on the type you apply for. In addition, New Zealand caps how many visas it approves each year. Be sure to apply early!

Moving to New Zealand from the US

New Zealand is one of the farthest countries from the US – so moving there requires a lot of work. In addition to applying for a visa, looking for housing (and possibly a job), and buying airline tickets, you also need to figure out how to get your stuff overseas. We definitely recommend getting professional help to ship your belongings all the way to New Zealand.

Top international moving companies

Working with a full-service moving company can result in higher international moving costs, but the extra help is well worth it. International moving companies do much more than just pack your stuff. They can also help coordinate customs requirements and logistics so your belongings get to New Zealand on time and in good shape.

The following international moving companies are our top recommendations based on our analysis of their pricing, services, and customer reviews:

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Shipping your vehicle to New Zealand

Drivers in New Zealand drive on the left side of the road — so you might not want to bring your car with you. If you decide to ship your car overseas, though, you have several options. Some full-service movers (like IVL and JK Moving) can also help coordinate car shipments.

There are also several international car shipping companies, which will ship your vehicle by sea freight. They’ll coordinate with shipping partners to manage customs and other issues to get your car safely to New Zealand.

Based on factors like pricing, availability, and customer satisfaction, these are our top picks for the best car shippers:

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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles
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  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Tips for moving to New Zealand from the US

There’s a lot that goes into moving to New Zealand from the US – meaning you’ll need to expand your standard moving checklist a little bit.

Here are a few things to consider:

  • Apply for your visa first. Research your visa options and start gathering the documents you’ll need for your application as early as possible. Depending on the type of New Zealand visa you apply for, it can take six months or more to get a long-term visa. Many visas have strict caps for the number of visas that are issued per year.
  • Downsize. Shipping to the opposite side of the globe can be expensive. Getting rid of things you no longer want or need (especially bulky items like furniture) will go a long way in lowering your moving costs.
  • Consider starting with short-term housing. Because of the distance, you probably won’t have time to check out properties before you move to New Zealand. Consider getting a short-term rental through Airbnb or VRBO so you can check out potential places to buy or rent in-person.
  • Book plane tickets early. Plane tickets are an expensive part of moving to New Zealand. Booking your flight at least 90 days in advance will usually help you get better ticket prices.
  • Figure out education and healthcare needs. When you first move to New Zealand, you’ll have to pay for education and private health insurance. Research which options are available in the city you plan to move to so you can find something that fits your needs and budget.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in New Zealand or the US?toggle

It is cheaper to live in New Zealand than in the US thanks to the country’s lower cost of living. The monthly cost of living in New Zealand is about 13.1% less expensive than in the US, not including rent. Monthly rent expenses are 42.1% less expensive in New Zealand on average.

How much money do I need saved to move to New Zealand?toggle

A single person should save at least $15,000 to move to New Zealand to ensure they can cover costs like movers, plane tickets, and visa fees.

Is it hard for an American to move to New Zealand?toggle

Moving to New Zealand isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can depend on the type of visa you’re applying for. For example, if you have an in-demand job on the country’s skill shortage list, you’ll have a much easier time finding a job and qualifying for a work visa. Be sure to research visa requirements for the type of visa you’re applying for to get everything prepared. Be prepared for a lengthy wait time for your visa to get processed.

Is healthcare free in New Zealand?toggle

Healthcare is free or low-cost in New Zealand for citizens, permanent residents, and for people who have held a work visa for two years or more. Other visa holders will need to obtain private health insurance.

What are the cons of living in New Zealand?toggle

Some cons of New Zealand are its relative isolation from the rest of the world, which can drive up prices in some areas. Dental care is not covered under the country’s universal healthcare plan. New Zealand also has higher rates of skin cancer because it is located beneath a hole in the ozone layer.


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