The population of New Zealand is 4.5 million people, whose majority lives on the North Island. The capital is the city of Wellington; however, the largest city is Auckland. Life in New Zealand is not limited to these two cities. The country has other interesting places with unique architecture, history, cultural life and economy. Every year regions outside Auckland and Wellington become more popular destinations for international students, and there are 2 main reasons for that. First of all, the cost of living in the regions is lower than in the major cities, which allows saving money or spending more on an education programme. The second reason is the current NZ immigration policy, that attracts new immigrants to the regions of the country, by giving additional points for permanent residence on the Skilled Migrant Category.
Let’s take a closer look at New Zealand cities and compare the cost of living and the average income of the population. Remember that the median indicator is not the same as the average index. Read more about the median on Wikipedia.
Auckland.
Population: 1,415,550.
Average house price: $ 931,061.
The median salary is $ 48,204.
The average salary is $ 76,338.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 19.32 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 12.20 years
This is the most expensive, populous and the largest city in New Zealand. It offers a wide variety of entertainments, including surfing and other water sport activities. The climate is subtropical with warm humid summers and mild damp winters.
The city gives lots of opportunities for active enthusiasts and career-oriented people as the major businesses, organisations, hospitals and schools are based here. However, the cost of housing is very high and not everybody can afford it.
Auckland is hilly which makes the city not the best place for cycling or walking. The traffic is heavy here, yet many people prefer buying a car for city driving to taking public transport.
Available programmes in Auckland.
Whangarei.
Population: 151,692.
Average house price: $ 395,670.
The median salary is $ 43,204.
The average salary is $ 64,993.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 9.16 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 6.09 years
Whangarei is one of the northernmost cities of New Zealand with the warmest subtropical climate. It is famous for its white beaches and spectacular views in Bay of Islands. Whangarei is a home for many indigenous Maori.
Tourism, farming, wood processing and fishing prevail over other economic sectors of the city. In addition, the only oil refinery in the country is located here, giving job opportunities for Whangarei residents.
Available programmes in Whangarei
Hamilton.
Population: 141,615.
Average house price: $ 378,903.
The median salary is $ 44,876.
The average salary is $ 69,168.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 8.44 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 5.48 years
Hamilton has a temperate climate, so there is no winter as such. The city, like Auckland, doesn’t have a rich historic architecture, but attracts many people as one of the most fast-growing cities in the country. Hamilton is safe and friendly. It provides a range of activities for students and sport amateurs.
Plenty of professionals, mostly attracted by affordable housing costs and different job opportunities, come to developing Hamilton to live and build their career.
Available programmes in Hamilton.
Tauranga.
Population: 134,400.
The average house price: $ 591,942.
The median salary is $ 43,108.
The average salary is $ 68,625.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 13.73 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 8.63 years
Tauranga is a great place for families seeking a comfortable, stable and safe life. It is a sunny resort with beautiful nature and endless beaches – a paradise for surfers and sports lovers. The cost of living is still quite affordable. The main industry is tourism, but the city actively grows, attracting professionals from different areas.
Available programmes in Tauranga.
Rotorua.
Population: 57,800.
The average house price $ 318,295.
The median salary is $ 43,108.
The average salary is $ 68,625.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 7.38 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 4.64 years
Rotorua is a centre of the Maori culture and one of the most popular tourist destinations. Located in the heart of the North Island, the city is surrounded by several magnificent and picturesque lakes. Wood processing, tourism and hospitality are the key industries in Rotorua. Smooth traffic flows, affordable housing and location make Rotorua an attractive place for young people and families.
Available programmes in Rotorua.
Gisborne.
Population: 43,653.
The average house price $ 236,413.
The median salary is $ 40,040.
The average salary is $ 65,060.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 5.9 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 3.63 years
Gisborne is another city with a large Maori population. This sunny city is located on the east of the North Island and is considered to be one of the best places for surfing in New Zealand. Agriculture and winemaking industries are the most popular here, so specialists from this sector will find this city most appealing. In addition, the city has a large port for various goods transportation, including timber and lumber. This cosy city is a perfect place to have a holiday home by the sea.
Available programmes in Gisborne.
Napier.
Population: 151,179.
The average house price $ 358,732.
The median salary is $ 40,040.
The average salary is $ 63,535.
To save up for an average priced house with a median salary: 8.96 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 5.65 years
Napier is a popular tourist destination with a unique concentration of Art Deco architecture. Most residents work in hospitality and winemaking industries. As the primary seaport for northeastern New Zealand, Napier exports large amounts of sheep's wool, frozen meat, wood pulp and timber. Good quality of life, affordable prices and new job opportunities attract people from other New Zealand regions and the whole world.
Available programmes in Napier.
New Plymouth.
Population: 109,608.
The average house priced is $ 379,926.
The median salary is $ 46,800.
The average salary is $ 72,376.
To save up for an average priced house with a median salary: 8.12 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 5.25 years
Located at the foot of the Mount Taranaki on the east coast of the North Island, every year this small town welcomes thousands of students wishing to study at the local institute of technology. Key industries are oil and gas. The only operating oil and gas reserves in the country are located in the Taranaki bright, providing the jobs for engineers and professionals of other related technologies.
Available programmes in New Plymouth.
Palmerston North.
Population: 84,300.
The average house price: $ 306,609.
The median salary is $ 39,260.
The average salary is $ 63,893.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 7.81 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 4.80 years
Palmerston North is a student city, about 140 km north of the capital. Local university offers a wide range of specialties, including aviation, dispute resolution, nanoscience and others. Its unique agricultural and veterinary science programmes are one of the best in the world and are recognized in the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada. Thanks to its location, the city became an important distribution hub with many freight distribution centres based here.
Available programmes in Palmerston North.
Wellington.
Population: 471,315.
The average house price: $ 610,102.
The median salary is $ 49,192.
The average salary is $ 80,934.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 12.40 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 7.54 years
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. The climate here is temperate marine and generally moderate all year round. However, Wellington is a very windy city with high rainfall. Its scenic natural harbour and green gardens are popular with tourists. The public transport system includes train and bus lines and ferries that connect the city to the South Island. The capital’s economy primarily focuses on finance, business services and government, but the city is also a hub for film and creative industries, innovation and technologies. Wellington is known as the creative capital of New Zealand. Today it is home to many talented animators, designers, artists and young students, wishing to build their future career here and become a part of the famous Weta Digital Studio’s team.
Available programmes in Wellington.
Nelson.
Population: 88,725.
Average house price: $ 446,860.
The median salary is $ 40,404.
The average salary is $ 66,355.
To save up for an average priced house with a median salary: 11.06 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 6.73 years
Sunny Nelson is located on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay. The summer weather here is beautiful. Winters are mild, so in general, Nelson’s climate resembles the Black Sea coast climate. This place is an excellent choice for nature and outdoor lovers, families and travellers. Nelson is home to many businesses and industries, including seafood, agriculture, forestry and tourism.
Available programmes in Nelson.
Greymouth.
Population: 32,148.
The average house price: $ 239,600.
The median salary is $ 40,404.
The average salary is $ 64,607.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 5.93 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 3.71 years
Surrounded by mountains, rivers and ocean, Greymouth is a small city on the west coast of the South Island. The key industry is fishing. Basically, it is a way station for tourists, who are travelling throughout the South Island.
Available programmes in Greymouth.
Christchurch.
Population: 539,433.
The average cost house price $ 485,700.
The median salary is $ 44,876.
The average salary is $ 72,512.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 10.82 years
To save up for an average priced house with an average salary: 6.70 years
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island. The climate is temperate oceanic with a mild summer and cool winter. Before the earthquakes in 2011, thanks to its architecture the city was considered to be the most English city of New Zealand. Today residents are working towards the rebirth of the remarkable city. There are a lot of new construction projects, giving a vast number of employment opportunities for civil engineering professionals. Christchurch is a safe, convenient and active city! It is a great place for sports lovers, surfers, snowboarders and cyclists. Education providers offer a big variety of unique programmes, specialisations and subjects for domestic and international students.
Available programmes in Christchurch.
Dunedin.
Population: 127,000.
The average house price: $ 315,185.
The median salary is $ 44,876.
The average salary is $ 63,185.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 7.02 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 4.99 years
Dunedin has the spirit of a Scottish city. Its original architecture with commendable features attracts tourists and strangers from all over the world. Every year Dunedin welcomes a large number of students attracted by affordable housing and future job opportunities in manufacturing, publishing, education, research and tourism.
Available programmes in Dunedin.
Queenstown.
Population: 14,300.
The average cost of the house is $ 810,980.
The median salary is $ 44,876.
The average salary is $ 63,185.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 18.07 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 12.84 years
Queenstown is a resort town and is one of the most beautiful towns in New Zealand. Built at the bay on Lake Wakatipu, the town gets bright and vivid colours of all four seasons. Thanks to the tourists, life in a small town is always on the go. Being a well-known capital of extreme sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, Queenstown is a perfect place for active and outgoing individuals who enjoy making friends from other countries, doing sport and getting a new amazing experience.
Available programmes in Queenstown.
Invercargill.
Population: 93,339.
The average house price $ 217,740.
The median salary is $ 45,760.
The average salary is $ 66,152.
To save for an average priced house with a median salary: 4.76 years
To save for an average priced house with an average salary: 3.29 years
Invercargill is the southernmost city of New Zealand. The weather is quite cool, with snowy winters and cloudy summers. The main features of the city are the beautiful nature, safety and friendly people. Because of the affordable housing and the fair average salary, people come to Invercargill to study and work in different industries, such as agriculture, brewing and tourism. It is the right place for family people, wishing to get a quality education for a reasonable price and reduce living expenses.
Available programmes in Invercargill.