Dunedin Ranked Best Place to Live in NZ – Top 7 Places in NZ to Live In

A new data-led study has ranked seven major New Zealand cities on overall livability, and Dunedin has come out on top.

The research compared housing affordability, employment strength, safety, lifestyle and amenities, climate, and real-world UK relocation demand. Rather than relying on perception or popularity, the rankings focused on measurable data to assess which cities offer the strongest overall balance for people considering a move.

Here’s how the top 7 places to live in New Zealand ranked overall:

1. Dunedin – 64.05
2. Nelson – 61.65
3. Wellington – 54.30
4. Christchurch – 51.65
5. Auckland – 35.10
6. Hamilton – 30.05
7. Tauranga – 24.75

Why Dunedin Ranked First

Dunedin’s top position is largely driven by affordability, employment stability, and safety. With a median house price of around NZD $610,000, it is the most affordable city in the study. It also recorded the lowest regional unemployment rate among the seven cities assessed, at approximately 3 percent.

Safety was another major strength. Dunedin ranked at or near the top for low crime severity compared to the other cities included. While its colder climate and lower sunshine hours placed it last for weather, its strong fundamentals across cost, employment, and safety pushed it to the highest overall score.

The study suggests Dunedin may appeal most to those prioritising stability and affordability over metropolitan scale or warmer weather.

Smaller Cities Outperform Larger Ones

One of the clearest trends in the rankings is that smaller centres outperformed larger cities on overall livability.

Nelson placed second thanks to its strong climate performance, high sunshine hours, relatively low housing costs, and strong safety record. Despite having a smaller job market and lower relocation demand, it scored consistently well across quality-of-life indicators.

By contrast, Auckland ranked fifth overall despite being the most popular relocation destination. The city accounts for more than a third of UK enquiries to move to New Zealand, but high housing costs, higher crime severity, and weaker relative employment metrics weighed heavily on its overall score.

Employment and Affordability Drive Results

Employment strength and housing affordability were heavily weighted in the methodology, reflecting the realities of moving to New Zealand. Cities with stable job markets and manageable housing costs consistently performed better than those driven primarily by lifestyle appeal.

Wellington ranked third due to its concentrated government and professional services job market, along with high amenity density and walkability. Christchurch placed fourth, benefiting from relatively affordable housing and a diversified local economy.

Tauranga, despite its warm climate and coastal lifestyle appeal, ranked last overall due to high house prices relative to local employment opportunities and a more limited job market.

A North vs South Island Divide

The study also highlighted a gap between perception and performance. While nearly three quarters of UK relocation interest is directed toward North Island cities such as Auckland and Wellington, several South Island cities scored more strongly on measurable livability metrics.

Dunedin and Nelson both achieved top-tier overall results despite attracting relatively low relocation demand. This suggests that where people move does not always align with where affordability and stability metrics are strongest.

How the Rankings Were Calculated

The study assessed seven major cities using six weighted categories:

• Cost of living and housing – 25 percent
• Employment and economy – 25 percent
• Safety – 10 percent
• Lifestyle and amenities – 10 percent
• Climate and environment – 5 percent
• UK relocation demand – 25 percent

Each category was normalised on a 0 to 100 scale relative to the other cities. Weighted scores were then combined to produce the final overall rankings.

The result is not a universal answer to where someone should live, but a structured comparison of how each city performs across the factors most likely to shape long-term livability.

The Takeaway

Dunedin’s first-place ranking reflects strength in fundamentals rather than popularity. Lower housing costs, stable employment, and strong safety outcomes outweighed its colder climate and smaller scale.

For prospective movers, the rankings reinforce that the “best” place to live in New Zealand depends on priorities. Those seeking affordability and stability may find the strongest value outside the country’s largest cities. Meanwhile, those prioritising job diversity and metropolitan scale may still gravitate toward Auckland or Wellington despite higher costs.

The full list of seven cities offers a clearer picture of how New Zealand’s main urban centres compare when lifestyle is measured against economic reality.

Stay sharp with The Oceanic Press Brief — your quick, no-fluff snapshot of what’s happening across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. Sign up now to stay informed.