Move to New Zealand
Everything a future New Zealand settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
New Zealand at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
Where to land in New Zealand
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$991
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$55,551
GDP per capita
5.1%
Unemployment
2.9%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
9.61/10
🏛️ Full democracy
Is New Zealand safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
English
Primary language
English is the main language. One fewer excuse not to move.
❓ Moving to New Zealand — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in New Zealand?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Dunedin ranks #1 in New Zealand with a score of 72/100. City-centre rent starts around $991/month.
How much does it cost to live in New Zealand?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $991 to $991/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,682.
Is New Zealand a democracy?▾
New Zealand scores 9.61/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Full democracy."
Is New Zealand safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in New Zealand is 1.5 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.