Cost Of Living For a Family in Christchurch 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Christchurch

Average monthly spending for families in Christchurch

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: NZD
3,900 11,000 72,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,400 $6,700 $44,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Christchurch?

Families in Christchurch spend around 11,000 NZD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 3,900 NZD or as high as 72,000 NZD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Christchurch


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Christchurch

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

7.5 NZD 15 NZD 25 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $9.1 $15

Restaurant meal for one

26 NZD 38 NZD 77 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $23 $47

Fine dining meal for one

51 NZD 77 NZD 310 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $47 $190

Cappuccino or latte

6.2 NZD 10 NZD 15 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $6 $9.1

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

5 NZD 6 NZD 7.5 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $3.6 $4.5

12 eggs

3.7 NZD 5 NZD 7.5 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $4.5

Fresh whole chicken

8.5 NZD 11 NZD 16 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $6.7 $9.5

Pack of beef

10 NZD 15 NZD 30 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $9.1 $18

Medium bag of rice

4 NZD 5.5 NZD 7.8 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.3 $4.7

Bag of tomatos

1.5 NZD 2 NZD 3.7 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.91 $1.2 $2.3

Bag of apples

2.7 NZD 3.5 NZD 5.7 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.6 $2.1 $3.5
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Christchurch


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

6.4 NZD 7.7 NZD 15 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.9 $4.7 $9.3

Average car full tank

37 NZD 50 NZD 100 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $30 $60

Average car 1-day rental

39 NZD 52 NZD 78 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $32 $48

Average car price

19,000 NZD 37,000 NZD 50,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11,000 $23,000 $30,000

Bus ticket one way

1.3 NZD 2 NZD 3.9 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.79 $1.2 $2.4

Car Service

52 NZD 78 NZD 160 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$32 $48 $95
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Christchurch


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

190 NZD 550 NZD 3,600 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $340 $2,200

Internet and cable

37 NZD 75 NZD 100 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $45 $60

Mobile phone charges

30 NZD 50 NZD 150 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $30 $91

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

19 NZD 25 NZD 37 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $15 $23

One month gym membership

63 NZD 78 NZD 160 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$38 $48 $95
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Christchurch


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

46 NZD 65 NZD 98 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$28 $40 $60

Woman dress

44 NZD 60 NZD 200 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$26 $37 $120

Woman shoes

41 NZD 56 NZD 130 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25 $34 $79

Men's shoes

36 NZD 44 NZD 87 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $26 $53

Men suit

39 NZD 49 NZD 260 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $30 $160

Regular t-shirt

20 NZD 26 NZD 78 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $16 $48
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Christchurch


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

650 NZD 980 NZD 2,600 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$400 $600 $1,600

1-bedroom apartment

980 NZD 1,600 NZD 3,900 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$600 $950 $2,400

2-bedroom apartment

1,300 NZD 2,000 NZD 5,200 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$790 $1,200 $3,200

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

130,000 NZD 200,000 NZD 390,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79,000 $120,000 $240,000

1-bedroom apartment

160,000 NZD 260,000 NZD 980,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$95,000 $160,000 $600,000

2-bedroom apartment

260,000 NZD 780,000 NZD 1.6M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160,000 $480,000 $950,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Christchurch


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

750 NZD 930 NZD 1,200 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$450 $570 $760

Double Bed

500 NZD 750 NZD 930 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $570

Single Bed

440 NZD 570 NZD 750 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $350 $450

Living Room

830 NZD 1,100 NZD 3,700 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $650 $2,300

Dining Table

370 NZD 500 NZD 930 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$230 $300 $570

Sofa or Couch

500 NZD 680 NZD 1,500 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $410 $910
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Christchurch


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

500 NZD 750 NZD 1,500 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $910

Fridge or Freezer

440 NZD 680 NZD 930 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $410 $570

Washing Machine

570 NZD 830 NZD 1,500 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$350 $500 $910

Stove or Cooker

530 NZD 680 NZD 930 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$320 $410 $570

Mobile Phone

620 NZD 750 NZD 1,100 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$380 $450 $650

Laptop or Computer

680 NZD 830 NZD 1,500 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $500 $910
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Christchurch

Family expenditure to income ratio in Christchurch

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Christchurch

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

90%

80% to 100%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Christchurch spend around 90% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 80% of their income while some as high as 100%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Christchurch

How do families spend their money in Christchurch?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)

LOW$750   1,200 NZD
AVERAGE$2,200   3,500 NZD
HIGH$14,000   23,000 NZD
Per Month

Families in Christchurch typically spend from 24% to 39% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 29% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 3,500 NZD with expenditure ranging from 1,200 NZD to 23,000 NZD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$120   190 NZD
AVERAGE$340   550 NZD
HIGH$2,200   3,600 NZD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Christchurch ranges from 2% to 7% of total expenses with 4% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 550 NZD with 190 NZD and 3,600 NZD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$240   390 NZD
AVERAGE$670   1,100 NZD
HIGH$4,400   7,200 NZD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 390 NZD to 7,200 NZD in a month on commuting with 1,100 NZD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$420   700 NZD
AVERAGE$1,200   2,000 NZD
HIGH$7,900   13,000 NZD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Christchurch is 2,000 NZD. The cost of groceries can range between 700 NZD to 13,000 NZD. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$210   350 NZD
AVERAGE$670   1,100 NZD
HIGH$3,500   5,800 NZD
Per Month

Families in Christchurch allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 350 NZD to 5,800 NZD with 1,100 NZD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$120   190 NZD
AVERAGE$340   550 NZD
HIGH$2,200   3,600 NZD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 190 NZD to 3,600 NZD with 550 NZD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$330   540 NZD
AVERAGE$940   1,500 NZD
HIGH$6,100   10,000 NZD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,500 NZD per month with 540 NZD being the minimum spent amount and 10,000 NZD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$190   310 NZD
AVERAGE$540   880 NZD
HIGH$3,500   5,800 NZD
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Christchurch

What percentage of families in Christchurch are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
66%
Not Saving
34%

Almost 66% of surveyed families in Christchurch said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 34% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Christchurch

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

12% 20% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,600 NZD
$980
4,600 NZD
$2,800
30,000 NZD
$18,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 12% to 31% of their monthly income to their savings, with 20% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 4,600 NZD with 1,600 NZD and 30,000 NZD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Christchurch

Saving Challenges in Christchurch

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Christchurch. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans18%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later17%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Christchurch

Typical saving choices for families in Christchurch

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings16%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Christchurch

Affordable living in Christchurch

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Christchurch?


Yes
85%
No
15%

Around 85% of surveyed families think that living in Christchurch is affordable with proper budgeting while 15% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Christchurch

Low-cost alternatives in Christchurch

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options66%

Few low-cost options34%


Based on the survey, 66% of the families living in Christchurch have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 34% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Christchurch whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes84%

No16%


Based on the survey, 16% of the families living in Christchurch said that they don't have an emergency fund while 84% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Christchurch

Financial Literacy in New Zealand

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy76%


We asked family guardians and parents in Christchurch whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 24% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 76% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of New Zealand have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 18% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 82% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance18%

Easily manages finances82%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Christchurch

Financial goals of families in Christchurch

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Christchurch, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction33%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle11%
Healthcare Expenses9%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Christchurch

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Christchurch


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the families in Christchurch have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Christchurch

Debt-to-income ratio in Christchurch

Debt to income ratio

28%

18% to 38%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of a family's monthly income in Christchurch goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%12%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%15%
10% - 20%18%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Christchurch pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Christchurch

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage13%
Auto Loan23%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card25%
Personal Loan37%

13% of debtors in Christchurch confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Christchurch.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Christchurch

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Christchurch how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never55%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Christchurch

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Christchurch

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Christchurch

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

650 NZD 980 NZD 2,600 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$400 $600 $1,600

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

980 NZD 1,600 NZD 3,900 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$600 $950 $2,400

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,300 NZD 2,000 NZD 5,200 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$790 $1,200 $3,200

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,600 NZD 2,600 NZD 7,100 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$950 $1,600 $4,300

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

3,100 NZD 7,800 NZD 16,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,900 $4,800 $9,500

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,600 NZD 3,900 NZD 11,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,600 $2,400 $6,800

House monthly rent cost

3,100 NZD 7,800 NZD 16,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,900 $4,800 $9,500

Villa monthly rent cost

3,900 NZD 9,800 NZD 16,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,400 $6,000 $9,500

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Christchurch ranges between 650 NZD and 2,600 NZD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 980 NZD to 3,900 NZD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,300 NZD and 5,200 NZD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,600 NZD to 7,100 NZD. The average rent of a townhouse in Christchurch is around 3,900 NZD while house rental costs can be as high as 7,800 NZD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,900 NZD to 16,000 NZD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Christchurch

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

130,000 NZD 200,000 NZD 390,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79,000 $120,000 $240,000

1-bedroom apartment price

160,000 NZD 260,000 NZD 980,000 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$95,000 $160,000 $600,000

2-bedroom apartment price

260,000 NZD 780,000 NZD 1.6M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160,000 $480,000 $950,000

3-bedroom apartment price

870,000 NZD 1.3M NZD 3.9M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$530,000 $790,000 $2.4M

Townhouse price

1.1M NZD 2.6M NZD 9.8M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$680,000 $1.6M $6M

House price

1.3M NZD 7.8M NZD 11M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$790,000 $4.8M $6.8M

Villa price

1.6M NZD 8.7M NZD 13M NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$950,000 $5.3M $7.9M

The average price of a studio apartment in Christchurch can range from 130,000 NZD to 390,000 NZD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 160,000 NZD to 980,000 NZD. A villa can cost you 8.7M NZD on average with prices ranging from 1.6M NZD to 13M NZD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Christchurch will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


47 x139 monthly income 230
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Christchurch can be x139 to x230 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x139 multiples of the average monthly salary in Christchurch.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 35% of income 45%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Christchurch is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
32%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.3%
AVERAGE
3.3%
TO
4.3%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


11 NZD 140 NZD 1,400 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Christchurch

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Christchurch

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

190 NZD 550 NZD 3,600 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $340 $2,200

Internet and cable cost

37 NZD 75 NZD 100 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $45 $60

Mobile phone bill and charges

30 NZD 50 NZD 150 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $30 $91

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 550 NZD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 37 NZD to 100 NZD with 75 NZD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 50 NZD but can range between 30 NZD and 150 NZD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2.1% 5.2% of income 9.4%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Christchurch is around 5.2%. This means that people pay 5.2% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.4% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Christchurch

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Christchurch

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

7.5 NZD 15 NZD 25 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $9.1 $15

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Christchurch is approximatly 15 NZD with meal cost ranging from 7.5 NZD to 25 NZD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

26 NZD 38 NZD 77 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $23 $47

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 26 NZD and 77 NZD with 38 NZD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Christchurch.

Fine dining meal for one price

51 NZD 77 NZD 310 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $47 $190

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 51 NZD to 310 NZD with the average cost being 77 NZD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Christchurch.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

6.2 NZD 10 NZD 15 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $6 $9.1

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Christchurch is around 10 NZD. Price ranges between 6.2 NZD and 15 NZD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

5 NZD 6 NZD 7.5 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $3.6 $4.5

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Christchurch is 6 NZD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 7.5 NZD and the minimum being 5 NZD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

3.7 NZD 5 NZD 7.5 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $4.5

A dozen eggs costs around 5 NZD on average with 3.7 NZD and 7.5 NZD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

8.5 NZD 11 NZD 16 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $6.7 $9.5

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Christchurch is between 8.5 NZD and 16 NZD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 11 NZD.

Pack of beef price

10 NZD 15 NZD 30 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $9.1 $18

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 15 NZD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

4 NZD 5.5 NZD 7.8 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.3 $4.7

A bag of rice in Christchurch costs around 5.5 NZD on average with prices rangeing between 4 NZD and 7.8 NZD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.5 NZD 2 NZD 3.7 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.91 $1.2 $2.3

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.5 NZD to 3.7 NZD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

2.7 NZD 3.5 NZD 5.7 NZD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.6 $2.1 $3.5

A bag of apples costs 3.5 NZD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 26% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Christchurch is around 26%. This means that families spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 32% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 700 NZD to 13,000 NZD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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