Living, Working and Moving to Ōtautahi Christchurch — A Honest, Friendly Guide for Anyone in NZ Considering the Move
So, you’re considering a move to Christchurch. Perhaps an idea was planted somewhere along the line, but perhaps you just looked at one too many rent receipts from your apartment in Auckland or Wellington and realized that there must be a better alternative. Either way, you are far from being alone, and you have posed yourself the perfect question.
Christchurch, also known by its Maori name, Ōtautahi, has really found its feet. It has become the fastest-growing city in New Zealand, with cheaper property prices, a stronger job market, and a burgeoning generation of Christchurch residents creating something truly special down south on the South Island. But is it the right move for you?
Let’s take a look at all the facts.
What Is Christchurch, New Zealand Like?
First things first — what actually is Christchurch like as a place to live?
Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand (though the third city based on some criteria), holding roughly 412,000 people. It is the largest city located in the South Island, acting as the primary entry point to the natural beauties of New Zealand, which include the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, Banks Peninsula, and a wonderful coastline.
The city is known for having an image that lags behind the times. Tell anyone in Auckland that you’re relocating to Christchurch, and you’re likely to receive a dramatic pause, a sympathetic face, and possibly even a remark such as “Oh—why?”. To quote one person writing in The Spinoff, who made the move herself, people from Auckland will act as if you’ve told them something shocking.
Christchurch has gone on to rebuild itself in an admirable fashion. This includes modern infrastructural developments, innovative urban planning, a thriving technological industry, and an increasingly vibrant culture. The center of the city is now characterized by buildings, laneways, bars, and open spaces that didn’t exist back then.
The atmosphere is one of relaxation and friendliness. Flatness, in fact, is an attribute associated with Christchurch, making bicycling around the city very enjoyable. There’s a sense of community in the air, excellent coffee shops, outstanding dining establishments, incredible parks, and the mountains and beach are not far off.
The Cost of Living: The Big Reason People Are Moving South
Let’s talk money, because this is usually what tips people over the edge.
| 💰 Cost Comparison | Christchurch | Auckland | Wellington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living | Base | 28% more expensive | 28% more expensive |
| Monthly rent (85m² furnished apt) | NZ$2,714 | NZ$4,468 | Most expensive in NZ |
| Median house price (2024) | $696,000 | Significantly higher | $780,000+ |
| Monthly public transport pass | $65 | $202 | High |
| Median annual income | $70,000 | Higher | Higher |
| Commute (cross-city) | Under 30 min | 60–90+ min | 30–60 min |
| Employment growth (2024) | +3.3% | Below national avg | Varies |
Compared to Auckland: In 2025, the cost of living in Christchurch is roughly 28% lower than that of Auckland. This isn’t a minor difference; it makes all the difference. For instance, the cost of renting a furnished flat is roughly NZ$2,714 per month in Christchurch compared to NZ$4,468 in Auckland — a difference of 39%. The cost of purchasing a monthly transport pass is $65 in Christchurch compared to $202 in Auckland, which saves 68%. The median price of houses in Christchurch towards the end of 2024 was $696,000, while the median price of the entire nation was $780,000. Additionally, Auckland’s figures were higher. For first-time homebuyers, Christchurch was more attractive due to the sale price averaging at roughly $685,000.
Comparison with Wellington: Christchurch is approximately 28% cheaper than Wellington as well, with the latter being the priciest city in New Zealand for rents. If you are living in Wellington and find it too costly, the economic benefits of moving to Christchurch might be obvious really fast.
Wages: Indeed, the average wage in Christchurch is slightly lower compared to the country’s median salary ($70,000 per annum or just under). However, taking into consideration the much more affordable housing, travel, and costs of daily necessities, the majority of those who relocate experience a noticeable improvement in their quality of life overall. Simply put, you will earn less but spend even less.
One example of an American immigrant to Christchurch explained this perfectly, noting that he travels by a much older vehicle, visits restaurants less frequently than before, yet gets to go skiing many times more.
Jobs and Career Opportunities in Christchurch
One of the questions people most often Google before moving: Will I actually find work?
The short answer is: yes, and the job market is stronger than it’s been in years.
Employment in Christchurch grew by 3.3% in 2024, outpacing the national growth rate of 2.2%. That’s a meaningful signal of a city on the rise. Here’s where the jobs are:
| 🏢 Top Employment Sectors | Workers | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | 31,900 | Consistently strong |
| Retail Trade | 23,300 | Stable |
| Manufacturing | 22,100 | Steady demand |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 21,800 | Growing fast |
| Construction & Trades | High demand | Ongoing post-quake rebuild |
| Technology / IT (“Silicon Plains”) | Growing | Booming |
Source: Christchurch City Council, 2024
- Health Care and Social Assistance — around 31,900 workers, the largest sector
- Retail Trade — approximately 23,300 people
- Manufacturing — a key industry with around 22,100 employees
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — roughly 21,800 workers, and growing fast
Christchurch also has a name tag: “Silicon Plains.” Indeed, Christchurch boasts an impressive number of IT companies such as Tait Communications, as well as various software businesses and startups that make this city very promising for professionals of IT area.
Moreover, besides IT area, there is great demand for construction workers, healthcare specialists, educators, and other tradesmen in Christchurch. It should also be noted that Christchurch is the main gate of New Zealand leading to Antarctica, thus having some particular features of professional life.
Speaking about relocating people from Auckland to Christchurch, they usually state that despite the somewhat lower salaries they earn, the quality of life in Christchurch becomes more attractive due to less time wasted during commuting (it takes no more than half an hour to go across the whole city) and, in addition, a generally lower cost of living compared to Auckland.
Housing in Christchurch: What to Expect
Christchurch happens to be among the cities in New Zealand that have managed to keep up with the demand for housing. Even though rents have been rising (median rent of about $550 on average across all properties by 2024), the city is much more affordable compared to Auckland and Wellington.
When looking at rentals, expect to pay approximately $550 per week for an average 3/4 bedroom home. The inner-city suburbs such as Merivale and Fendalton are costly but mature; the coastal suburbs such as New Brighton and Sumner have cheaper options that come with that beach culture; finally, the outer suburbs such as Halswell and Rolleston provide roominess.
| 🏡 Suburb Type | Examples | Vibe | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium inner suburbs | Merivale, Fendalton | Established, leafy, upscale | High |
| Central city fringe | Addington, Sydenham, St Albans | Urban, cafés, walkable | Mid–High |
| Coastal lifestyle | Sumner, New Brighton | Beach, relaxed, community feel | Mid |
| Family-friendly outer | Halswell, Rolleston, Hornby | Space, schools, quiet | Mid–Low |
| Affordable entry | Phillipstown, Aranui, Wainoni | Budget-friendly, up-and-coming | Low |
| Scenic/hills | Scarborough, Kennedys Bush | Views, premium, peaceful | Highest |
However, even for buyers, things appear rather positive as well. Christchurch real estate is underpriced relative to other parts of the country, and there really are some opportunities. Especially for first-time homebuyers looking to escape Auckland.
One caveat though. Christchurch schools do matter. It can be quite hard to get into particular schools when you are out of zone, so if you have children, check the school zones before choosing a suburb. You could use Education Counts to confirm the addresses.
But what’s best about Christchurch? It’s all mostly flat terrain. Everything is within reach, more or less.
Lifestyle: What Do People Actually Love About Living Here?
This is where Christchurch really shines — and where people who’ve made the move tend to get a bit evangelical.
Nature on your doorstep. Mountains only 45 minutes away westward. Beaches only 20 minutes away eastward. Skiing in the morning and home again in time for dinner? Possible! Arthur’s Pass, Lake Tekapo, Akaroa, Kaikōura – all only two hours away. Port Hills to the south of the city provide hiking and mountain biking tracks with breathtaking views. Hagley Park – one of the largest urban parks in the world – is right in the middle of the city. The Botanical Gardens are beautiful. The Avon River flows through the city; punting down it on a lazy Sunday afternoon is a popular pastime. This is an outdoor city, pure and simple.
Coffee culture. Yes, the coffee is good. All those jokes about being unable to obtain a quality flat white in any city other than Auckland are, in all honesty, extremely outdated. Christchurch boasts a rich and vibrant café culture.
Community feeling. Christchurch is a small town where many inhabitants feel the closeness of the community. There are friendly neighborhoods, short travel times which give time for personal matters, and the idea that this is a functional community. Despite being the target of the destructive earthquakes, Christchurch retained its reputation for community resilience and unity.
Events and entertainment. 2026 is going to be a great year for Christchurch. There will be a new stadium, One NZ Stadium. It is planned to host a special Super Rugby Pacific Super Round where ten teams compete and play for ANZAC Day weekend. Moreover, Christchurch hosts such festivals as Electric Avenue (the biggest open-air summer festival in New Zealand with 90,000 visitors in two days) and Christchurch Marathon. Besides that, there is an international cricket match hosted at Hagley Oval.
Art and culture. The most interesting place for culture lovers in Christchurch is Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, which is free of charge and offers unique art from Maori and Pacific communities. The Canterbury Museum deserves mentioning because it represents world-class exhibitions.
What Are the Honest Downsides?
We promised balanced, so here it is.
Public transportation is underdeveloped. Public transportation in Christchurch functions adequately but certainly falls well short of the levels found in Auckland and Wellington. The vast majority of people use their private vehicles. This can be a bit of a change if you are accustomed to using trains or ferries.
Older housing can be quite chilly. Some older buildings within Christchurch lack proper insulation, and winters in Christchurch are actually fairly cold (average around 10°C). Heating expenses may come as a shock to some. If you rent or purchase property in Christchurch, it is wise to inquire about heating and insulation beforehand.
It can seem rather conservative. While not necessarily a bad thing in all cases, a few individuals have commented that Christchurch seems to have a more conservative nature than cities such as Wellington.
Awareness about earthquakes. The city of Christchurch is located in an earthquake-prone region. The city has been built much better than earlier, and it doesn’t influence your daily routine — but if you are thinking of purchasing property, you should look at the classification of land based on the condition after the earthquakes.
People may lack the buzz. For those who are very fond of life in a metropolitan area where unexpected things can always happen, a somewhat slower pace of life in Christchurch will be a drawback from time to time. However, for most people making the move to Christchurch, that “unexpected” thing ends up being the traffic, the noise, and the expenses — which means they do not miss anything.
The Verdict: Should You Move to Christchurch?
Here’s the honest summary: Christchurch is one of the best-value lifestyle decisions you can make in New Zealand right now.
It’s not a half-measure city. It’s not a place that you move to after you’ve been disappointed in your dreams. This is a city forging its destiny with a sense of ambition: a thriving tech sector, outstanding educational facilities, amazing accessibility to nature, affordability, and people who have time for each other because they’re not stuck in rush-hour traffic for three hours each day.
Is it without flaws? No, there’s definitely room for improvement in the public transit system, the housing stock can be improved, and yes, it is flat.
But for families, young professionals, first-time homebuyers, and adventure seekers – and anyone tired of handing over most of their paycheck to landlords – Christchurch is definitely worth a closer look.
Read this Part 2 – Moving to Christchurch: Auckland, Wellington, or Anywhere Else — Here’s What People Really Think