Best places to live in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Dunedin ranks highest for livability among major cities (59/100). Smaller, lower-cost towns can score higher — sort and filter all 10 cities below by cost, climate and disaster safety.
Scores are 0–100, higher = better. Cost = affordability (higher = cheaper) · Climate = year-round comfort · Safety = natural-disaster + crime safety · Livability = the three combined.
| City | LivabilityiOverall score, 0–100 = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety. | CostiAffordability, 0–100. Higher = cheaper. = 100 − (country price level vs US × a city-size premium). Source: World Bank PPP ÷ exchange rate (US = 100). | ClimateiComfort, 0–100, from WorldClim monthly temperatures. Penalises hot summers (above ~24°C), cold winters (below ~6°C) and too-cool summers (below 15°C). Higher = milder. | Safetyi0–100. Higher = safer. Blends 55% natural-disaster safety (8 hazards — earthquake from real USGS records, plus flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and 45% crime safety (homicide rate). | Summer°C | Top risk |
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Showing top 10 of 10 cities by population. Climate: WorldClim (real). Cost: World Bank. Disaster/crime: USGS/FEMA/INFORM. Livability = 0.35·cost + 0.30·climate + 0.35·safety.
🌪 Natural-disaster risk in New Zealand →
FAQ
What is the best place to live in New Zealand?
Among major cities, Dunedin ranks highest for livability (59/100); smaller, cheaper towns can score higher still — sort the full table by your priorities.
How many cities in New Zealand are ranked?
10 cities, scored on cost of living, climate and natural-disaster safety.
Is New Zealand safe from natural disasters?
It varies by city — each city page shows the full breakdown. Dunedin scores 76/100 for safety.