Townleap

Cost of Living: Brighton vs Dunedin (2026)

United Kingdom vs New Zealand — relocation comparison

Your passport:
66
Livability Score
🇬🇧 Brighton
United Kingdom
Full profile
72
Livability Score
🇳🇿 Dunedin
New Zealand
Full profile
Brighton
Dunedin
$1894/mo
Rent
$991/mo
66/100
Livability
72/100
86/100
Safety
93/100
5 yr
PR path
Sole Trader
Freelance setup

Wise ✓

TL;DRDunedin is 48% cheaper on rent ($991/mo vs $1894/mo). Dunedin scores 9.6 vs 8.5 on democracy. Both countries will let you complain about the government in public — and mean it.
Dunedin edges ahead 72 to 66. Brighton isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
Household
Brighton
Metric
Dunedin
$1894/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$991/mo
$859/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$568/mo
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.5 / 100k
20°C
☀️
Summer high
18°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
4°C
8.5 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
9.6 / 10
100/100
🗣️
Street English
100/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$56k
3.3% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.9% · Boringly steady
66 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
72 / 100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
💰
Cost of Living
Dunedin
$903/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Brighton
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Dunedin
9.6/10 EIU index

Settler Essentials

5 yrs
Time to PR
Moderate
🇺🇸 Your visa
Moderate
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
UA visa

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 48% cheaper in Dunedin ($991/mo vs $1894/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Brighton (20°C vs 18°C).
  • Dunedin scores higher on democracy (9.6 vs 8.5 / 10 EIU).

Brighton vs Dunedin — Common Questions

Is Brighton cheaper than Dunedin?

Dunedin is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $991/month in Dunedin vs $1894/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Brighton or Dunedin?

Brighton is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Brighton has a rate of 1.12 per 100,000 and Dunedin has 1.46 per 100,000.

Should I move to Brighton or Dunedin?

Dunedin edges ahead 72 to 66. Brighton isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

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