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Is Australia or New Zealand better to live?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 10, 2026

Living In New Zealand

Life in New Zealand tends to move at a more relaxed pace. In 2019, New Zealand was ranked as the second safest country in the world. New Zealand has a lower crime rate than Australia.

Is New Zealand friendlier than Australia?

While Australians have a reputation of being friendly, New Zealand "does it even better", the report says. New Zealand was named one of the easiest places in the world to settle in, coming in fifth place, while Australia ranked 20th.

Is it cheaper to live in Aus or NZ?

When comparing the cost of living in New Zealand vs Australia, New Zealand is the more affordable country to live in. On average, consumer prices in New Zealand are 3.96% lower than in Australia. Rent and groceries cost 17.70% and 5.92% less. Eating out at a restaurant will also cost less in New Zealand.

Is New Zealand richer than Australia?

Australians are a third richer than New Zealanders. Per capita GDP (adjusted for purchasing power parity) is NZ$48,000 in Australia compared to just NZ$36,400 in New Zealand. This difference is remarkable given that the two countries enjoyed the same level of income for most of the twentieth century.

Why is New Zealand population so low?

As a nation that depends largely on international migration as a means of population growth, the inability for any international migration as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, has dramatically reduced population growth around most of New Zealand.

20 related questions found

Is NZ a poor country?

Approximately 305,000 children in New Zealand live in poverty. This means over a quarter of children living within the country are underprivileged. Additionally, 14 percent of these children cannot afford basic food, housing or clothing.

Is NZ better than Australia?

Living In New Zealand

Life in New Zealand tends to move at a more relaxed pace. In 2019, New Zealand was ranked as the second safest country in the world. New Zealand has a lower crime rate than Australia. Plus, you won't have to worry about any snakes!

Is it better to work in Australia or New Zealand?

Australia will offer you more opportunities, both in the number of jobs available and in chances to progress your career. That's simply because Australia has a many big cities with booming industries. New Zealand's big corporations are concentrated mostly in and around Auckland.

Are houses cheaper in Australia than New Zealand?

The study still considers Australia as severely unaffordable, but overall the market is slightly cheaper than New Zealand's, with median prices 5.9 times the median household income.

Are Australia and New Zealand rivals?

The sporting rivalry between New Zealand and Australia is absolutely huge and encompasses the sports of netball, cricket, rugby union, rugby league and much more. Both countries have competed against each other at the Commonwealth Games since 1930.

Why Australia and New Zealand are rivals?

The Kiwi-Aussie rivalry is often described as a “sibling rivalry” and that's mainly due to the two countries essentially teasing each other. There will often be stereotyping, for example, Australians see New Zealand as “behind the times”, while New Zealanders stereotype Aussies to be rude.

Is living in Australia worth it?

Australia is the fourth happiest country on the planet, making its lifestyle one of the most known and envied in terms of carefree living. No hectic pace from a big metropolis and a perfect balance between work, family, and leisure time.

Is it worth moving to New Zealand?

New Zealand is known worldwide for its quality of life and relaxed pace. New Zealanders have a strong work ethic but also believe in having a good work life balance. Even in our biggest cities, you are never too far from a beach, bike trail, or national park.

Is New Zealand better than Canada?

New Zealand offers good career options, and Canada has better opportunities because of its sheer market size. The Canadian economy is much more robust (10th worldwide) in comparison to New Zealand. Canada as a country is rich in natural resources. Their dependence on these left them with a strong, stable economy.

Can Australian citizens move to New Zealand?

Open for more information. Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.

What is a good salary in Australia?

Salary between AUD$90,000 – AUD$108,000 annually or AUD$7,500 – AUD$9,000 monthly is considered a good salary in Australia. That said, the national average is about AUD$90,000 per year. In major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, you can expect a higher salary of around AUD$110,000 – AUD$150,000.

What living in Australia is really like?

Aussie culture is so much more than beer, barbecues and hot weather (although there is also a lot of that). We're talking about a land of genuine variety, where you can ski and surf in the same day. Everything from the wildlife to the weather is colourful, exciting and ever so slightly dangerous.

Is it difficult to live in Australia?

If your goal is to obtain citizenship, you will be happy to know that Australia is one of the easiest countries in which to accomplish this. Expats who wish to acquire permanent residency should plan to live in the country for at least four years and then pass a citizenship test.

Is it better to study in Australia or New Zealand?

New Zealand is by no means the optimal place to study and live if you're a student, as the cost of living is relatively high. However, it ranks lower than Australia's cities in terms of cost of living. All in all, New Zealand is a bit more affordable for those with particularly tight budgets.

What are the disadvantages of living in New Zealand?

Everything is expensive, lack of job/career opportunities, far from everywhere. Houses are too expensive, renting an apartment almost take all your salary. As much as we would like to see NZ expanding its population, there's a lack of job opportunities for locals and new migrants which is the main drawback.

Is Australia a rich country?

Australia is considered a wealthy nation with a market-based economy that has a comparatively high gross domestic product and per capita income. Its economy is driven by the service sector and the export of commodities. [Explore the top universities in Australia.]

Is New Zealand the best country to live?

In the 2020 Global Peace Index survey, New Zealand is ranked the second most peaceful country in the world, in terms of societal safety and security.

Is 100k a good salary in New Zealand?

Because the cost of living varies throughout New Zealand, the definition of a high income also varies. $100,000 will not go far in Auckland or central Otago, for example, but could be considered plenty in an area like Southland. On top of this, income tax will also take a chunk out of your 100k salary.