Cheapest Places to Live in NZ
New Zealand is a beautiful country with a wide range of outdoor activities and stunning scenery. However, it is also a relatively expensive place to live. The good news is that there are many affordable areas where you can enjoy living in this beautiful country.
The cost of living in New Zealand varies considerably between cities, so it is important to choose the right location for you. In this article, we will look at some of the cheapest places to live in NZ and compare them to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua and Dunedin.
We will also look at a number of smaller towns that are still very affordable and offer a great lifestyle. These include Napier, Palmerston North and Nelson. The cost of living comparisons are based on the latest data from Numbeo and include the price of groceries, https://affordableaotearoa.com/ petrol and rent. The prices are a guide only and may be subject to change. Also, costs for services like doctors and prescriptions are not included in the cost of living comparisons.
Auckland is the most expensive city to live in New Zealand but, surprisingly, it is only slightly cheaper than Wellington and Christchurch. In fact, it is only a little cheaper than cities like Brisbane and Edinburgh. However, it is much more expensive than Calgary and Budapest.
Christchurch is by far the cheapest city to live in New Zealand. This is largely due to the lower house prices but also the higher incomes. House buyers in Christchurch can expect to pay around $461,000 for a home compared to $85,000 in Auckland.
Rotorua is another cheap place to live in NZ and it has recently enjoyed a boom in tourism, which helps keep the economy strong. It is also a very popular destination for early retirees looking to soak up the sun and relax in beautiful surroundings.
Dunedin has a reputation for being a student town but it is also a very attractive place to live. The low rent prices and reasonable cost of living make this a great option for anyone moving to NZ on a budget. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is NZ$265 to NZ$305 a week, which can be easily managed on a modest salary.
The other big plus for living in Dunedin is the excellent health care system, with GP visits generally free of charge and hospitals charging $5 for prescriptions. The NZ healthcare system is world class and is highly regarded by expats from around the globe. However, it is important to get travel insurance for your time in NZ as there are some potential risks. You can get a quote in less than a minute at SafetyWing.
