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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Looking for affordable living in New Zealand? The West Coast is the cheapest region, with rentals from $250/week and an average house price of $452,250. Southland follows closely, offering great value with average rents around $495/week.

For city dwellers, Christchurch is the most affordable major centre. Even in pricey Auckland, you can find cheaper rentals in suburbs like Ōtara and Rānui. Explore Trade Me Property to find hidden gems and affordable homes across the country.

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