Is Christchurch New Zealand’s most buyer-friendly market?

• $715,000 average asking price in Christchurch sits more than $150,000 below the national average
• Christchurch maintains stability, recording a 1.6% year-on-year increase in average asking price, while Auckland (-3.5%) and Wellington (-3.0%) decline
• 77% increase in Christchurch property seekers on realestate.co.nz coming from outside of the city*

Christchurch is separating itself from New Zealand’s other major property markets, with prices not just holding steady but remaining significantly lower than other main centres, the latest data from realestate.co.nz shows.

In March 2026, the average asking price for a property in the Garden City was $715,039, a 1.6% increase compared to March 2025 and more than $150,000 under the national average asking price of $887,162.

In comparison, Auckland’s average asking price was $1,244,141 in March 2026 and Wellington’s was $904,333.

Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says that the gap is significant and could make Christchurch the most accessible major centre in New Zealand for property seekers.

“Your property budget goes further in Christchurch. In a market where many buyers are feeling stretched, that gap can offer more choice than in Auckland or Wellington, whether that’s a larger home, a better location, or a more achievable first step onto the property ladder.”

Williams notes that the region is an interesting case study on supply and demand:

“After the earthquake, we saw a big housing boom as the city worked to replace the thousands of homes that were lost. The flurry of development has meant Christchurch hasn’t faced the same supply constraints as many other cities, which has helped moderate price growth relative to other major centres.”

Should you consider buying property in Christchurch right now?

In addition to its lower major city price point, data from realestate.co.nz shows Christchurch’s property market has remained relatively stable over the past three years making it an increasingly attractive option for buyers weighing up where to purchase.

"Christchurch is standing out as one of the most stable property markets in the country right now. While other major centres tend to fluctuate, Canterbury is holding steady, and that’s creating confidence for both buyers and sellers. When you combine relative affordability with consistent demand and ongoing investment in the region, it’s clear why Christchurch is increasingly on people’s radar."

This affordability looks to be fuelling migration to the city. According to Stats NZ, during the five-year period from 2020-2025, Christchurch’s population grew by 6.07%. This saw the South Island city outpace Wellington’s growth of ~1.2% and sit remarkably close to that of Auckland’s ~6.5%.

What’s behind the Christchurch property market’s resilience?

Chris Kennedy, Managing Director and Business Owner of Canterbury-based Harcourts Gold, says the stability and affordability of Christchurch’s property market comes down to fundamentals.

"Buyers in the city are price-sensitive and quality-driven, so vendors with well-presented, well-positioned homes will be rewarded. Auctions also play a major role in the market’s momentum here, with a clearance rate of around 82%,” Kennedy says.

Kennedy believes the city’s appeal goes beyond price alone.

“We are seeing the evolution of a city down here that is reshaping its national appeal. There is major infrastructure investment, expansion in key satellite towns like Rolleston and Lincoln, which is underpinning long-term buyer confidence, a university among the world’s best, employment growth, and rapid expansion plans around our international airport precinct. It’s not hard to see why Christchurch is increasingly being seen as a future-focused place to live and invest.”

Williams says Christchurch is an exciting market to watch.

“New listings also increased in Christchurch in March, up 1.5% compared to 2025. When you have a market with stock, affordability, and active growth and development, it creates a level of confidence that’s hard to replicate. Christchurch could well rival Hamilton for the title of ‘City of the Future’.”

*Source: Internal data (March 2025 v March 2026)

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hannah Franklin | hannah@realestate.co.nz

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