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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Discover affordable living options across New Zealand, even with high housing costs. The West Coast stands out as the cheapest region, with average rents around $450/week and house prices near $452,250. Southland is another budget-friendly choice, offering great value and natural beauty.

For city life, Christchurch is the most affordable major centre. While Auckland is expensive, suburbs like Tuakau and Ōtara offer more accessible rental options. Explore Trade Me Property to find your perfect home.

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

Author

Ben Tutty Ben Tutty
Content Writer