Two of the most popular destinations for expats, and a genuinely hard choice. Here is how Australia and New Zealand compare across the nine factors that shape life abroad, with an honest read on which suits which kind of mover.
Australia vs New Zealand at a glance
| Factor | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | Very high | High |
| Property | Very expensive | Very expensive |
| Healthcare | Excellent ▲ | Strong |
| Safety | Safe ▲ | Safe |
| Tax | Worldwide income, 45% top | Worldwide; no general capital-gains tax ▲ |
| Visa | Skilled/employer; no retiree visa | Skilled, or NZ$750k+ retirement visa ▲ |
| Climate | Warm (~19°C) (warmer) | Mild (~15°C) |
| English | Native / official | Native / official |
| Expat community | Very large | Very large |
▲ marks the stronger of the two on that factor. Where neither is marked, they are closely matched.
How far your money goes in Australia · and in New Zealand
Which should you choose?
Choose Australia if you want: greater everyday safety and stronger healthcare.
Choose New Zealand if you want: an easier visa or residency route and friendlier taxes.
Climate is a matter of taste rather than a score, so weigh that yourself: Australia is Warm (~19°C), New Zealand is Mild (~15°C).
Tax and visas compared
| Factor | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | Worldwide income, 45% top | Worldwide; no general capital-gains tax |
| Visa / residency | Skilled/employer; no retiree visa | Skilled, or NZ$750k+ retirement visa |
General information to compare destinations, not personal tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so check the current position before you commit.
Go deeper: Australia guide · Australia insurance quotes | New Zealand guide · New Zealand insurance quotes
How these scores are calculated
Each destination is scored from 0 to 100 on nine factors, then compared. “Stronger” marks the higher score on that factor. The healthcare score reflects the public system; private care, which many expats use, can differ, and first-hand expat ratings are coming from our own survey. Cost and property are world-comparable price levels.
Data sources: Expat Focus built dataset · Expat Focus climate reference · Expat Focus reference · World Bank ICP / PPP price level · World Bank ICP 2021 housing Price Level Index · World Bank health expenditure per capita + physicians per 1,000 · World Bank intentional homicide rate · World Bank international migrant stock. See our data and licences page.