Renters: Quick Poll

[A.C. Slater]

I once heard that the average New Zealand resident spends 31% of his or her disposable income on rent, and this is a bad thing because it's very high compared to other economies. I have to admit, after having lived here for nearly eight months and getting a decent feel for the housing market, this number seems shockingly low to me. Even at $100k a year, which is $66k of disposable income, 31% puts you under $400pw for rent. I would expect the number to be much closer to 50%.

So I'm curious, renters: What percentage of your household's disposable income do you spend on rent?

[G-Mo]

There is no poll here to vote on... ?????

[Sun777]

30% for us (Living in Northshore, Auckland)

[Azkateaz]

32% for us (with a one income household) in Hamilton

[Natalia79]

24% for us in Hawkes Bay ( combined household income after tax)

[kiwieagle]

24% in Tasman District

[Spudgun]

38% - One income. Eastern Bays, Auckland

[Elaine_NZ]

25% in Coastal Otago

[G-Mo]

About 40% single income after tax... When my wife returns to work 25%. Takapuna.

[RedVee]

27% of my NZ net income, not including rates (around 29% including rates). But only around 18% of my total disposable income, including returns from my uk property and an occupational pension. I live in the Wellington wop wops, on the edge of Pauatahanui/Judgeford which gets you a lot more for your money. It doesn't surprise me A C Slater, that yours is higher. I've got a sense of that from a few of your previous posts about your budget. You are sticking pretty close to Wellington, so prices will be higher.

For $400 a week to represent 50% of your net income your gross income must be around $53k, which is not a lot for a sole earner family in Wellington. Survivable, but not a lot of wriggle room. That assumes you pay 3% kiwi saver, but don't get any work and family benefits.