Choosing between Christchurch and Dunedin involves considering various factors to determine which city aligns best with your preferences and priorities.

If you prefer a rich urban lifestyle, better career opportunities, and a bustling population, Christchurch might be a better fit. But if you prefer a more relaxed life, a strong sense of community, and a lower cost of living, Dunedin might be your best choice. 

Want to learn how we decided that? By evaluating the factors below!

Cost of Living in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

Christchurch’s cost of living is much higher compared to the city of Dunedin, where the average monthly living expense is $1714, while it is $1340 in Dunedin.  The average monthly living expenses in Dunedin are approximately 21.83% lower compared to Christchurch.

How did we arrive at this figure? Check out the table below, which features data from LivingCost.org, for a greater look at the cost of living in Christchurch and Dunedin. 

Expenses	Christchurch Cost Range	Dunedin Cost Range
Housing (Average Rent per Month)
1-bedroom apartment  (downtown)	$935	$763
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$876	$444
3-bedroom apartment (downtown)	$1,566	$1,567
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$1,415	$1,089
Utilities (Average Monthly Bill)
Utility bill for one person	$67.4	$82.8
Utility bill for a family	$103	$128
Internet plan	$48.1	$49.7
Transportation (Fare)
1-way ticket (local transport ticket)	$1.76	$1.76
Monthly pass (local transport ticket)	$61.5	$38.2
Taxi start (normal tariff)	$18.2	$20.5
Gasoline (1 liter)	$1.73	$1.71
Childcare (Tuition Fee)
Private Preschool/Kindergarten (full day)	$907	$632
International Primary School	$8,470	$9,526

Based on the data, there are a lot of differences between Christchurch and Dunedin in terms of living expenses.

In general, Christchurch tends to have a higher cost of living compared to Dunedin. The data provided – including housing costs, utilities, transportation fares, and childcare tuition fees – indicate that Christchurch typically has higher expenses across these categories.

Real Estate Prices in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

The cost of real estate in Christchurch tends to be higher than in Dunedin, both for single-family homes and apartments. On average, Dunedin is about 23.81% less expensive than Christchurch The price of the apartments in Dunedin is about 14.65% and 17.05% less expensive than in Christchurch.

Christchurch generally has higher property prices compared to Dunedin, reflecting factors such as demand and location. 

It offers a larger and more diverse real estate market, providing a wide range of property options to potential buyers. It also experiences higher demand and greater competition in the real estate market due to its larger population. 

On the other hand, Dunedin, being a smaller city, may have relatively fewer properties available. But, it still offers a variety of options to meet different needs. 

The table below compares the average selling price of single-family houses and apartments in Christchurch and Dunedin, according to Numbeo.

Property Type	Christchurch	Dunedin
Single-Family Home	$735,000	$560,000
Apartment (Downtown)	$5,858.33	$5,000
Apartment (Outside the city center)	$3,616.67	$3,000

Diversity and Demographics in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

In terms of population diversity, Christchurch generally has a more diverse population compared to Dunedin. As the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch attracts a broader range of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.  In terms of racial composition, both cities highlight their multicultural nature, with significant representation from European/Pākehā, Māori, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities.

We need to note that Dunedin is actually larger in terms of land area. However, Christchurch has a significantly larger population. 

This indicates that Christchurch has a higher population density, with more people per square kilometer compared to Dunedin.

Dunedin is the second largest city in New Zealand by area and the third largest by population, while Christchurch is the third largest city in New Zealand by area and the second largest by population.

	Christchurch	Dunedin
Geographic Location	South Island	South Island
Size (Area)	1,426 sq km	3,314 sq km
Population	421,610	120,249
Female Population	212,286	62,583
Male Population	209,324	57,666
Median Age	37.6 years old	35.6 years old
Life Expectancy at Birth	81 years old	81 years old

According to the data, the median age in Christchurch is higher than in Dunedin. This indicates that, on average, the population in Christchurch is slightly older compared to Dunedin.  

However, when the racial composition of their particular populations is analyzed, the cities’ demographic diversity becomes clearer.

For this, we prepared a table with statistics gathered from Stats NZ. 

Racial Composition	Christchurch		Racial Composition	Dunedin
European/Pākehā	78.2%		European/Pākehā	86.6%
Māori	14.2%		Māori	9.3%
Asian	3.9%		Asian	7.8%
Pacific Islanders	4.2%		Pacific Islanders	3.2%
Other ethnicities	9.7%		Other ethnicities	2.9%

Career Opportunities in Christchurch vs. Dunedin 

According to SimpleNZ‘s data, Christchurch has plenty of jobs available in a wide range of occupations since it’s the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. The unemployment rate in Christchurch is 3.8%, while the unemployment rate in Dunedin is 3.2%. This means that 3.8% of the working-age population in Christchurch is unemployed, while 3.2% of the working-age population in Dunedin is unemployed. However, it’s important to note that the difference between the two rates is relatively small, indicating that both cities have relatively low unemployment rates overall. This generally signifies a healthier job market and a higher proportion of the population being employed.

Additionally, salaries in Christchurch are generally higher than salaries in Dunedin. However, it’s important to also note that the cost of living in Christchurch is higher than the cost of living in Dunedin. 

The average salary in Christchurch is $59,900, while the average salary in Dunedin is $54,900.

This means that people in Christchurch earn an average of $5,000 more per year than people in Dunedin.

Crime and Safety in Christchurch vs. Dunedin 

It’s much safer in Dunedin than in Christchurch. The crime rate in Dunedin is at 3.0%, while in Christchurch, it’s at 7.96% according to calculated data retrieved from the New Zealand Police as of May 2023.  Christchurch has a population of 405,000 with a crime total of 33,575 compared to Dunedin which has 126,255 in population while having a 3,777 crime total.

Christchurch generally experiences higher rates of people using or dealing drugs, property crimes, violent crimes, and corruption compared to Dunedin.

Crime rates can vary over time and are influenced by numerous factors such as population size, socioeconomic conditions, law enforcement efforts, and community initiatives.

The table below provides a breakdown of the crime rate information.

City	Population	Crime total	Crime rate per 100,000 people	Crime rate (%)
Christchurch	405,000	33,575	8290.1	8.29%
Dunedin	126,255	3,777	2991.6	3.0%

We also laid out a crime comparison level between Christchurch and Dunedin according to the most recent stats from Numbeo. Take note that this is only the perceived crime level in both areas based on crowd-sourced data. 

Type of Crime	Christchurch	Dunedin
People using or dealing drugs	55.77%	36.31%
Property crimes such as vandalism and theft	58.79%	31.48%
Violent crimes such as assault or armed robbery	45.50%	21.40%
Corruption and bribery	28.94%	14.63

Lifestyle in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

Both cities have different qualities of lifestyle. Christchurch offers a fast-paced lifestyle, while Dunedin has a slower pace of life.  Christchurch, also known as the “Garden City,” offers a vibrant urban lifestyle with a blend of modern amenities and natural beauty. The city has a diverse range of cultural events, festivals, and entertainment options.  ​​Moreover, Dunedin offers a unique lifestyle. The city has a lively arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and music venues. Dunedin is known for its historic architecture and picturesque landscapes, including the Otago Peninsula and nearby beaches.

In order to get more insight into the lifestyles available in these areas, we compared both thoroughly based on factors such as weather, social activities, and healthcare.

Weather in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

The weather in Christchurch and Dunedin is very similar. Both cities have a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. 

The average temperature in Christchurch is 12°C, while the average temperature in Dunedin is 10°C.

The main difference between the weather in Christchurch and Dunedin is the wind. Christchurch is windier than Dunedin. The windiest month in Christchurch is July, with an average wind speed of 20 km/h while Dunedin’s is May, with an average wind speed of 15 km/h.

Things to Do in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

In Christchurch, explore the picturesque Botanic Gardens, the Christchurch Art Gallery, or take a stroll through the vibrant street art scene in the city. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the unique International Antarctic Center or take a peaceful punting ride on the Avon River. 

While in Dunedin, you can explore the stunning Otago Peninsula and encounter wildlife such as penguins and albatrosses. 

You can visit the historic Larnach Castle, explore the vibrant and quirky streets of the city’s central Octagon area, or take a tour of the renowned Speight’s Brewery. 

If you’re looking for a city with a vibrant arts and culture scene, then Christchurch may be a better choice for you. If you’re looking for a city with a more relaxed pace of life, then Dunedin may be a better pick! 

Overall, both Christchurch and Dunedin are great cities to visit, with plenty of things to see and do. The best city for you will depend on your individual interests and preferences. 

Healthcare in Christchurch vs. Dunedin

Christchurch and Dunedin provide excellent healthcare services, with healthcare indexes of 76.51% and 71.00%, respectively. Both cities prioritize high-quality medical care, ensuring the well-being of their residents.

As stated in Numbeo, below are some of the factors that affect the overall healthcare index in both cities.  

	Christchurch	Dunedin
Skill and competency of medical staff	78.57%	73.21%
Speed in completing examinations and reports	69.32%	58.93%
Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment	82.50%	64.58%
Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports	77.50%	67.3%
Friendliness and courtesy of the staff	86.90%	85.71%
Responsiveness (waiting in medical institutions)	48.75%	44.64%
Satisfaction with Cost	88.33%	78.57%
Convenience of location	78.41%	87.50%

Christchurch and Dunedin boast skilled and competent medical staff, although Christchurch has a higher rating in this aspect. 

Moreover, Christchurch also excels in areas such as equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment, accuracy in filling out reports, and overall satisfaction with cost.

Dunedin, on the other hand, receives higher ratings in terms of speed in completing examinations and reports, friendliness, and courtesy of the staff, and convenience of location. 

As a result, residents of both cities can expect high-quality healthcare, but there are slight variations in specific aspects of the healthcare experience between the two.

Christchurch vs. Dunedin: How They Stack Up

Christchurch and Dunedin are both vibrant cities in the South Island of New Zealand, offering unique experiences and opportunities. However, the choice between these two cities depends on personal preferences, priorities, and individual circumstances. 

To review everything we’ve discussed, here are our suggestions on which city is better depending on the factors we’ve discussed above. 

Factors	The Better City	Why
Cost of Living	Dunedin	The average monthly living expenses in Dunedin are approximately 21.83% less compared to Christchurch.
Real Estate	Dunedin	Dunedin is about 23.81% less expensive than Christchurch, while the price of the apartments in Dunedin is about 14.65% and 17.05% less expensive than Christchurch.
Diversity and Demographics	Christchurch	Christchurch generally has a more diverse population compared to Dunedin. As the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch attracts a broader range of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.
Career Opportunities	Christchurch	According to SimpleNZ‘s data, Christchurch has plenty of jobs available in a wide range of occupations since it’s the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand.
Crime Index	Dunedin	According to Numbeo’s statistics, it’s significantly safer to reside in Dunedin than in Christchurch.
Lifestyle	Tied (depends on what kind of lifestyle you prefer)	Both Christchurch and Dunedin have a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. Christchurch and Dunedin are great cities to visit, with plenty of things to see and do. The best city for you will depend on your individual interests and preferences.  Christchurch and Dunedin provide excellent healthcare services, with healthcare indexes of 76.51% and 71.00%, respectively. Both cities prioritize high-quality medical care, ensuring the well-being of their residents.

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