These are the cheapest places to live in New Zealand | Trade Me Property (2024)

FAQs

These are the cheapest places to live in New Zealand | Trade Me Property? ›

The West Coast is the cheapest place to live in New Zealand, whether you're renting or buying a house. The average rent is far lower than any other region, with three bedroom standalone houses renting for as little as $400 a week on Trade Me Property and one bedroom self-contained units starting at $250 to $300.

Waitomo District, the cheapest area in New Zealand, has a median price of $305,000 (REINZ, August 2024). That means half the properties in Waitomo District (in August) sold for less than $305,000.

This is why Upper Hutt City has the country's cheapest rates. Rates there take up only 3.5 weeks of rent. Upper Hutt has taken the top spot for the last two years. This is followed by Whangarei and Napier City.

Buying property in New Zealand, particularly in its major cities, is expensive. The nation has one of the highest house-price-to-income ratios in the world.

At least $500NZD is recommended to cover any expenses when you get here, like taxis, food or a hotel on your first night. Don't bring it all in cash – prepaid travel money cards like Cash Passport and credit cards are the safest way to bring money to New Zealand.

To live in New Zealand permanently, you need a resident visa. There are a number of pathways to obtaining a resident visa, many of which start with a temporary visa allowing you to work, study or own a business in New Zealand.

The average rent in New Zealand is approximately NZD 400 a week for a small home (one or two bedrooms) and NZD 530 for a two- or four-bedroom apartment or house. The most expensive city is Auckland, with rent costing between NZD 600 and NZD 850 a week, depending on the size of the accommodation.

Where should I retire to NZ? ›

While certain goods tend to be more expensive, the cost of living in New Zealand is 6% lower than in the US overall. New Zealand has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. All retirement-friendly visas require investments of between $750,000 and $1,000,000.

The short answer is yes, New Zealand is expensive to travel compared to places like South East Asia. But, you can visit New Zealand on a budget. Once you arrive, you can keep costs down by camping, cooking your own meals, and taking advantage of the epic hikes and natural attractions around New Zealand.

Thousands of international students and skilled workers enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in New Zealand. The cost of living in New Zealand in 2024 amounts to NZ$4,000–NZ$5000 per month for a single person and NZ$6,000–NZ$7,000 per month for a family of four, including food, travel and utility bills.

On average, the cost of moving to New Zealand is between $15,000 – $20,000. However, there are many factors that inflate or deflate the costs of moving to New Zealand, but two factors have the most influence: the size of your move and the distance of your move.