Cost of living comparison

New Zealand

compared to

United States

Akron vs. Palmerston North Cost of Living Summary

Akron is 24.1% more expensive than Palmerston North.

Restaurants: pay 0.1% less in Akron
Groceries: pay 18.9% more in Akron
Transportation: pay 7.7% less in Akron
Housing: pay 63.2% more in Akron
Childcare: pay 100.0% more in Akron
Entertainment and Sports: pay 11.4% more in Akron
Clothing: pay 17.2% less in Akron

The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, and entertainment and sports in Akron are more expensive than in Palmerston North. Expenses including clothing, transportation, and restaurants are lower in Akron. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Akron.

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Akron vs. Palmerston North Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Akron instead of Palmerston North, you would:

Display currency: USD

pay 0.1% less for restaurants

	Palmerston North	Akron
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant	$14.42 NZ$25.03	$16.00	+10.9%
Fast food combo meal McDonalds, or similar	$9.91 NZ$17.20	$10.00	+0.9%
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz)	$2.36 NZ$4.09	$2.37	+0.6%
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz)	$2.01 NZ$3.49	$1.75	-13.0%
Average			-0.1%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of restaurants

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pay 18.9% more for groceries

	Palmerston North	Akron
Bread 1 loaf	$1.99 NZ$3.46	$2.84	+42.5%
Local cheese (8 oz)	$3.89 NZ$6.76	$6.18	+58.6%
Milk (1 gallon)	$7.12 NZ$12.35	$2.98	-58.2%
Eggs 1 dozen	$5.13 NZ$8.91	$2.76	-46.3%
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb)	$3.99 NZ$6.92	$5.22	+30.8%
Apples (1 lb)	$1.07 NZ$1.86	$1.76	+63.8%
Bananas (1 lb)	$0.80 NZ$1.39	$0.71	-11.6%
Oranges (1 lb)	$1.08 NZ$1.87	$1.51	+39.9%
Tomatoes (1 lb)	$1.48 NZ$2.56	$1.70	+14.9%
Potatoes (1 lb)	$0.91 NZ$1.59	$1.04	+13.2%
Onions (1 lb)	$0.95 NZ$1.66	$1.53	+60.8%
Average			+18.9%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of groceries

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pay 7.7% less for transportation

	Palmerston North	Akron
Gasoline (1 gallon)	$6.11 NZ$10.59	$3.05	-50.0%
Monthly public transit pass	$70.50 NZ$122.34	$50.00	-29.1%
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition)	$22,211.80 NZ$38,545.42	$35,000.00	+57.6%
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles)	$18.92 NZ$32.84	$17.16	-9.3%
Average			-7.7%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of transportation

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pay 63.2% more for housing

	Palmerston North	Akron
Internet connection 50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl	$45.43 NZ$78.84	$71.43	+57.2%
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area	$807.70 NZ$1,401.65	$983.33	+21.7%
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center	$663.47 NZ$1,151.36	$918.00	+38.4%
Utilities for two (700 sq ft apartment) including electric, gas, water, heating	$64.71 NZ$112.29	$152.49	+135.7%
Average			+63.2%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of housing

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pay 100.0% more for childcare

	Palmerston North	Akron
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly	$961.55 NZ$1,668.63	$1,325.00	+37.8%
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters	$4,843.04 NZ$8,404.40	$12,700.00	+162.2%
Average			+100.0%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of childcare

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pay 11.4% more for entertainment and sports

	Palmerston North	Akron
Domestic/local beer (1 pint)	$6.44 NZ$11.17	$5.00	-22.3%
Cappuccino in mid-range area	$3.32 NZ$5.76	$3.62	+9.3%
Pack of cigarettes Marlboro or similar	$17.88 NZ$31.04	$9.00	-49.7%
Monthly membership at local gym	$22.69 NZ$39.38	$43.33	+91.0%
Movie ticket to theater/cinema	$8.65 NZ$15.02	$11.12	+28.6%
Average			+11.4%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of entertainment and sports

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pay 17.2% less for clothing

	Palmerston North	Akron
Regular jeans Levi's brand	$66.35 NZ$115.14	$43.33	-34.7%
Regular dress from H&M or similar store	$36.06 NZ$62.57	$40.00	+10.9%
Running shoes Nike or Adidas	$87.26 NZ$151.43	$69.80	-20.0%
Men's business shoes (leather)	$87.98 NZ$152.68	$66.00	-25.0%
Average			-17.2%

Palmerston North vs. Akron - Cost of clothing

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: July 2026

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