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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 in New Zealand beyond the major centres. The West Coast is the cheapest region, with average house prices around $452,250 and rents from $250/week. Southland follows, with average rents of $495.

Among major cities, Christchurch offers the best value with average rents of $590. Even in Auckland, affordable suburbs like Tuakau and Rānui provide options. Explore listings on Trade Me Property to find hidden gems in these budget-friendly areas.

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