New Zealand🇳🇿
At a Glance
How New Zealand compares across key indices
Cost of Living
91 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
85/100
Healthcare
74/100
Quality of Life
174/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in New Zealand
Cost of Living
91
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
68
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
91
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
95
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in New Zealand - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
85/100
Crime Index
6/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in New Zealand
New Zealand has 58 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,797 in Whanganui to $2,231 in Wellington. Whangarei leads on safety, scoring 89/100. Whangarei ranks highest for quality of life at 174/200.
Whanganui
$1,797/mo
Whangarei
89/100
Whangarei
174/200
Wellington
82/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | $2,231 | 83/100 | 169/200 | 82/100 | 16 |
| Auckland | $2,125 | 82/100 | 169/200 | 81/100 | 18 |
| Christchurch | $1,999 | 85/100 | 171/200 | 77/100 | 13 |
| Manukau City | $1,987 | 85/100 | 171/200 | 77/100 | 13 |
| North Shore | $1,955 | 86/100 | 172/200 | 75/100 | 11 |
| Hamilton | $1,925 | 86/100 | 172/200 | 74/100 | 10 |
| Tauranga | $1,905 | 87/100 | 172/200 | 74/100 | 9 |
| Dunedin | $1,889 | 87/100 | 173/200 | 73/100 | 9 |
| Lower Hutt | $1,875 | 87/100 | 173/200 | 73/100 | 8 |
| Palmerston North | $1,853 | 88/100 | 173/200 | 72/100 | 7 |
| New Plymouth | $1,853 | 88/100 | 173/200 | 72/100 | 7 |
| Hastings | $1,853 | 88/100 | 173/200 | 72/100 | 7 |
| Napier | $1,825 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 71/100 | 6 |
| Rotorua | $1,823 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 71/100 | 6 |
| Porirua | $1,817 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 71/100 | 6 |
| Invercargill | $1,811 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 71/100 | 6 |
| Papatoetoe | $1,805 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Nelson | $1,805 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Whangarei | $1,799 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Whanganui | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Upper Hutt | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Manurewa | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Gisborne | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Papakura | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Rolleston | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Blenheim | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Paraparaumu | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Timaru | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Masterton | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Mangere East | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Remuera | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Avondale | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Taupo | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Otara | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| New Lynn | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Mangere | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Massey | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Massey East | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Pukekohe East | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
| Ashburton | $1,797 | 89/100 | 174/200 | 70/100 | 5 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for New Zealand
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in New Zealand
Pollution Index
13/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
6.5ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in New Zealand, answered with data
What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
New Zealand has a cost of living index of 91 relative to New York City (100). It is on par with or more expensive than major US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,875 in Lower Hutt and reach $2,231 in Wellington.
What is the cheapest city in New Zealand for expats?
Lower Hutt is the most affordable city in New Zealand in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,875 for a single person including rent. Dunedin is the next most affordable at $1,889/mo.
Is New Zealand safe for expats?
New Zealand has a safety index of 85/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Lower Hutt scores highest on safety at 87/100.
What is the best city in New Zealand for expats and digital nomads?
Lower Hutt ranks highest for quality of life in New Zealand, scoring 173/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,875/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in New Zealand?
New Zealand scores 74/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
What is the air quality and pollution like in New Zealand?
New Zealand has a pollution index of 13/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for New Zealand
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Set Up International Banking
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Get Connected
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Book Your First Accommodation
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Find Flights
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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