Auckland
Auckland's score reflects its status as a high-opportunity, high-cost city. While it excels in healthcare, education, and lifestyle, the high barrier to entry regarding housing and the cost of living prevents a higher overall score.
Is Auckland a Good Place to Live?
Auckland is a strong choice, earning a MoveWiser Score of 78/100 based on cost of living, safety, schools, healthcare, housing, and jobs.
Is Auckland right for you?
MoveWiser can compare your budget, lifestyle, climate preferences, and priorities with Auckland and other cities — and show you how well each one fits you personally.
See How Well Auckland Fits MeQuality of Life in Auckland: Why It Scored 78/100
The score is bolstered by Auckland's role as the primary economic hub of New Zealand, offering a strong job market and high-quality public services. The city's natural beauty and cultural diversity also contribute positively to its appeal. Conversely, the score is tempered by the significant financial burden of the housing market, which remains one of the most expensive in the country. Additionally, the city's urban sprawl and reliance on private transport infrastructure create challenges for daily commuting and overall walkability.
Safety in Auckland
Auckland earns a high safety rating on MoveWiser's 1-10 scale, with a safety score of 8/10.
Climate
Auckland features a mild, temperate maritime climate with warm, humid summers and cool, wet winters. It enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Cost of Living in Auckland
Population
1,700,000
Median Home Price
NZ$1,100,000
Median Rent
NZ$2,200/mo
Average Salary
NZ$85,000
Groceries / month
$550/mo
Moving to Auckland
Auckland offers a perfect blend of tech-savvy urban living and quiet beaches, featuring a diverse culture centered on Maori heritage and sailing, alongside the top-ranked University of Auckland and a major international airport hub.
Pros and Cons of Living in Auckland
Pros
- • Stunning natural harbor and beaches
- • Strong multicultural community
- • High quality of life and healthcare
- • Vibrant dining and entertainment scene
- • Access to world-class education
Cons
- • Very high cost of living
- • Expensive housing market
- • Heavy reliance on private vehicles
- • Traffic congestion in peak hours
Who Auckland Is Best For
Where Auckland performs well
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auckland a good place to live?
Auckland is an excellent choice for those who value a balance between urban amenities and natural beauty. With its diverse neighborhoods like Ponsonby and Parnell, residents enjoy a high quality of life, though it requires a significant budget to manage the high cost of living.
Is Auckland affordable?
Auckland is generally considered the most expensive city in New Zealand. Housing costs are the primary driver, with median home prices exceeding NZ$1.1 million and high rental demand in central areas like the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
What is Auckland best known for as a place to live?
Auckland is best known as the 'City of Sails' for its deep connection to the harbor and maritime culture. It is also recognized for its volcanic landscape, diverse multicultural population, and status as the economic engine of New Zealand.
What are the biggest advantages of living in Auckland?
The primary advantages include access to beautiful beaches, a thriving job market in sectors like ICT and finance, and a high standard of healthcare. The city offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan living and easy access to outdoor adventures.
What are the potential disadvantages of living in Auckland?
The main drawbacks are the high cost of housing and the city's sprawling layout, which necessitates a reliance on cars. Public transport, while improving with the Northern Busway and rail upgrades, can be inconsistent compared to more compact global cities.
What type of person or household is Auckland a good fit for?
Auckland is a great fit for young professionals seeking career growth in a major hub and students attending institutions like the University of Auckland. It is also suitable for families who prioritize access to top-tier schools and a multicultural environment, provided they can navigate the competitive housing market.
Related rankings
Data & Methodology
For each city we gather recent data on cost of living, safety, schools, healthcare, housing, jobs, transit, and walkability, then normalize each into a 1–10 category rating (10 = best) using consistent benchmarks across every city. The MoveWiser Score (0–100) is a weighted blend of those category ratings — a city scores well when several categories are strong and is held back by its weakest factors. The exact weighting isn't published, but the category ratings shown above make it clear what drives each score.
Data sources (linked where available):
- Stats NZ 2026
- REINZ Property Data 2026
- Numbeo 2026 — cost of living, rent & groceries
- Auckland Economic Monitor 2025
- Origio City Guide 2026
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