Nina Out and About contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.
19 Pros and Cons of Living in Auckland NZ
Wondering about the pros and cons of living in Auckland, NZ? Read on!
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and one of the most populated cities in Oceania. It has a population of nearly 1.5 million people and it’s located on the North Island of New Zealand.
I lived in Auckland when I moved to New Zealand. I honestly never considered living anywhere else.
The city is known for its access to job opportunities and, as the largest city in New Zealand, there’s so much to do.
Auckland has been named the world’s most livable city for the past 7 years in a row.
But, there are some definite pros and cons to living in Auckland.
Let’s break down what it’s really like to live in Auckland so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Is it expensive to live in Auckland?
Yes and no.
The cost of living in Auckland is higher than in other parts of New Zealand, but it’s still cheaper than most cities in the world.
If you want to live in the city center, you’ll pay a bit more for rent or a mortgage, but if you’re willing to live a bit further out, housing is more affordable.
I lived in Auckland on a budget of $4,000 a month. But I only ever ended up spending about $3,000 a month and I wasn’t trying to save at all!
You will find it harder if you’re at an entry-level job and trying to save up for a house.
But, if you’re already living in Auckland and have a good job, your costs won’t be too bad.
My Experience Living in Auckland as an Expat
Overall, I absolutely loved living in Auckland.
The city is so diverse and there’s always something to do. It was so accessible and easy to get around the country, and out of the country, for travel.
I never had a problem finding friends or meeting new people.
There are tons of expats living in Auckland and the Kiwi culture is really welcoming.
But, there are a few things to note if you’re thinking of moving to Auckland.
The housing market is really competitive and it’s hard to find a good deal on a house. The cost of living is higher than in other parts of the country and the weather can be really unpredictable.
I found the climate perfect, as the worst weather we had was torrential rain. Unlike living in Ottawa, Canada, where I regularly have to deal with -30C days and snow up to my hip. In Auckland, I could wear a t-shirt all winter!
I also loved the food in Auckland. There’s so much delicious food to eat!
But, if you’re not a fan of seafood, you might find it hard to find affordable and tasty food.
Overall, I think Auckland is a great city to live in. It has something for everyone and it’s really easy to get around.
If you’re looking for a great city to live in with plenty of job opportunities, Auckland is it!
19 Pros and Cons of Living in Auckland
Pro: Amazing Quality of Life
Auckland has been named the world’s most livable city for the past 7 years in a row. This is due to its great access to job opportunities, diverse culture, and a plethora of activities to do.
I loved being able to go on day trips every weekend so I didn’t need to break the bank on flights constantly.
Con: High Cost of Living
Compared to the rest of New Zealand, the cost of living in Auckland is significantly higher. If you want to live in the city center, expect to pay more for rent or a mortgage.
You’ll need to budget about $2,000 monthly for a one bedroom apartment near the city centre. On top of that, you’ll need $1,500 for commuting, food, utilities, and entertainment.
Pro: Easy to Get Around
Auckland is a very accessible city. It’s easy to get around by car, bus, train, or ferry. Plus, it’s only a short drive or flight away from other amazing places in New Zealand.
With the public transport in Auckland, it’s one of the easiest cities in New Zealand to explore if you don’t own a car (or if, like me, you’re afraid of driving on the left side of the road).
Con: High Housing Costs
As mentioned before, the cost of housing is significantly higher in Auckland than in other parts of the country. If you’re looking for a place to live, be prepared to pay more than what you would in other areas.
Auckland houses go for over $1 million regularly. And that’s not even inside the city centre!
Most people get a house with a small separate home attached that they can rent out on Airbnb or lease to make enough to help cover their mortgage.
Places like Devonport and Mission Bay have lower rent than downtown Auckland, but you’ll need to commute to the CBD.
Pro: Excellent Education System
The education system in Auckland is one of the best in the world. The city has a variety of public and private schools to choose from, all with excellent reputations.
If you’re looking to move your family to Auckland, rest assured that they will be getting a top-notch education.
It’s also home to the University of Auckland, which is one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Con: Higher Crime Rates
Auckland has a higher crime rate than the rest of New Zealand. While it’s not as bad as some other cities, it’s something to be aware of.
Make sure you take precautions when walking around at night and be aware of your surroundings.
This is solely because it’s a big city. Every big city in the world has a higher crime rate.
To be honest, it’s still way safer than most cities in Canada or the UK. I never felt unsafe jogging alone or going home late from a work night out.
I could even nap in a park with my laptop in my bag with no worries!
Pro: Free Public Healthcare
If you’re a citizen of New Zealand, you’re entitled to free healthcare. This means that you don’t need to worry about paying for health services when you go to the doctor or hospital.
If you have a visa, you’ll also get this access.
This is a great perk of living in New Zealand. However, in Auckland, unlike other cities, there are more doctors and specialists in the city. So, you’re more likely to get an appointment quickly.
Con: Lots of Traffic
Auckland is notorious for its traffic congestion. If you’re planning to commute into the city centre, be prepared for a lot of traffic jams.
The best times to commute are early in the morning or late at night when the traffic is lighter.
It’s easier to take the ferry or a bus to avoid wasting gas (cause gas is crazy expensive in New Zealand!).
Pro: Best Coffee in New Zealand
Auckland is home to some of the best coffee in New Zealand. If you’re a coffee lover, you’ll be in heaven!
There are tons of cafes to choose from and almost all of them serve excellent coffee.
Plus, the cafe culture in Auckland is really strong. So, you’ll always be able to find a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Con: No Good Shopping
Auckland is severely lacking in good shopping options. The best shopping is found in the CBD, but it’s very limited.
This is true of all of New Zealand. You’ll find better options in Wellington, but most Kiwis just wait to go abroad to do their shopping. It’s cheaper and you’ll get nicer stuff.
Pro: Very Diverse and Accepting City
Auckland is one of the most diverse and accepting cities in the world. This is due to its high population of immigrants.
You’ll find people from all walks of life living in Auckland. And, everyone is welcome here.
This makes for a very vibrant and multicultural city that’s always buzzing with energy.
Con: Lots of Tourists
Auckland is a popular tourist destination. This means that you’ll often find yourself battling crowds of tourists when you’re trying to go about your day-to-day life.
It can be really frustrating when you’re trying to get somewhere and you can’t because the sidewalk is clogged with people taking photos.
This is a definite con to living in Auckland for me.
Pro: Biggest City in New Zealand
Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. This means that there are always lots of things to do here.
You’ll never run out of activities to keep you busy. Plus, there’s always something new and exciting happening in Auckland.
One of my favourite advantages of the size of Auckland is that you get so many amazing restaurants and cafes nearby!
Con: Biggest City in New Zealand
Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand. This means that it’s also the most expensive.
The cost of living in Auckland is significantly higher than in any other city in New Zealand.
It also means tons of people all the time.
As someone who hates sidewalk traffic and frequently gets sidewalk road rage, this is definitely a con for me!
Pro: Largest Airport in New Zealand
Auckland is home to the largest airport in New Zealand. This makes it easy to get in and out of the city.
Plus, there are always lots of flights coming in and out of Auckland, so you’re sure to find a flight that works for you.
This is really helpful if you’re travelling around New Zealand or travelling out of New Zealand.
When you’re ready to visit France, find the cheapest flights with this tool.
Con: Travel is Expensive
It’s so expensive to go abroad from New Zealand. This isn’t specific to Auckland, but it’s definitely something to consider.
If you’re looking to travel, make sure you budget accordingly. It’ll likely cost you a lot of money to go anywhere.
This is definitely one of the downsides to living in Auckland – everything is just so expensive!
Pro: Great Work-Life Balance
Auckland has a great work-life balance. This is due to the fact that the cost of living is high and there’s not a lot of good shopping.
People in Auckland have to make the most of their free time. And, they definitely do!
You’ll find people out and about all the time enjoying all that Auckland has to offer.
This is definitely a pro for me – I love having a great work-life balance!
And as a bonus, you get lots of work vacation!
My entry-level job had 4 weeks of vacation on top of a 4 week holiday for the Christmas period. How great is that?
Pro: More Job Opportunities
Auckland is home to more job opportunities than any other city in New Zealand.
This is due to the fact that it’s the biggest city and the most diverse.
If you’re looking for a job, Auckland is definitely the place to be.
The downside to this is that it’s also very competitive to find a job in Auckland.
But, if you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll be able to find a job that’s perfect for you.
There are many recruitment agencies around that make it easier to find a job in your chosen field.
Pro: Warm Winter Weather
Auckland has warm winter weather. This is due to the fact that it’s located in the subtropics.
This means that you won’t have to bundle up in layers of clothes to stay warm like you do in other parts of New Zealand.
Instead, you can wear light jackets and sweaters during the winter months.
This is definitely a pro for me – I hate being cold!
Is Auckland a good place to live in?
There are pros and cons to living in any city. When it comes to Auckland, there are definitely more pros than cons!
If you’re looking for a big city with lots of things to do, Auckland is the place for you.
You’ll never be bored here! But, keep in mind that it is expensive to live in Auckland.
If you’re looking to travel, make sure you budget accordingly.
But, overall, I think Auckland is a great place to live!
In fact, it’s where I’m planning to eventually settle permanently!
FAQ About Living in Auckland:
Living in Auckland vs Wellington
Auckland is significantly more expensive to live in than Wellington. The cost of living is higher and there are more job opportunities in Auckland. However, Wellington has a better work-life balance.
Living in Auckland vs Christchurch
Christchurch is significantly less expensive to live in than Auckland. The cost of living is lower and there are more job opportunities in Christchurch. However, Auckland has a better work-life balance.
Cost of Living in Auckland vs. Melbourne
The cost of living in Auckland is lower and there are more job opportunities than in Melbourne. However, Melbourne has a better work-life balance.
But I love that there are no snakes or poisonous spiders in Auckland!
Cost of Living in Auckland
The median annual household income in Auckland is NZ$47,000. The cost of living in Auckland is high, and it’s estimated that a household would need at least NZ $40,000 a year to live comfortably.
Some of the costs you can expect to incur when living in Auckland include rent (NZ$2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment), groceries (NZ$800 per month), transportation (NZ$120 per month), and utilities (NZ$200 per month).
Auckland Cost of Living for a Student
If you’re a student, you’ll likely find that your expenses are a bit lower than the average. You can expect to pay around NZ$800 per month for rent, NZ$200 per month for groceries, and NZ$120 per month for transportation. Utilities will likely cost you an additional NZ$50-60 per month.
Advantages of Living in Auckland
Despite the high cost of living, there are many advantages to living in Auckland. The city is incredibly multicultural and has a rich arts and culture scene. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants in the country. Additionally, Auckland is close to some amazing natural attractions, such as beaches, volcanoes, and forests.
Related Posts:
- 25 Pros and Cons of Living in New Zealand
- 10 Best Day Trips from Auckland
- Tipping in New Zealand: To Tip or Not to Tip?
- 17 Best Places to Visit & Top Things to Do In North Island New Zealand
Pin this for later!
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
