Buying guide

These are the cheapest places to live in New Zealand

New Zealand is expensive - but these cities and towns aren’t

Ben Tutty
Last updated: 9 July 2025 | 3 min read
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Searching for affordable living in New Zealand? The West Coast is the cheapest region, with rents from $450/week and an average house price of $452,250. Southland is another great option, with average rents of $495 and homes just over $500,000.

Among major centres, Christchurch is the most affordable city, with average rent at $590/week. Even in Auckland, suburbs like Tuakau and Ōtara offer more budget-friendly options for renters and buyers.

The cheapest place to live in New Zealand — West Coast

Second cheapest — Southland

Invercargill is the biggest city in Southland and one of the cheapest cities in NZ.

Christchurch: Cheapest major city in New Zealand

The cheapest places to live in Auckland

Auckland is expensive, unless you know where to look.

Find the cheapest places to live in New Zealand

Find the cheapest houses for sale in New Zealand

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Ben Tutty Ben Tutty
Content Writer