---
entity_id: city:nz:statsnz_ur2023:2106
entity_type: city
name: Christchurch
country_code: NZ
country: New Zealand
slug: christchurch
canonical_url: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/
json_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/christchurch.json
markdown_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/christchurch.md
mcp_uri: immigrationdb://city/nz/christchurch
snapshot_id: approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab
generated_at: 2026-09-14
last_verified: 2026-09-06
fact_count: 24
language_location_count: 6
employment_location_count: 0
city_intent_block_count: 1
usefulness_tier: answer_linked
indexable: true
metric_dictionary_url: https://immigrationdb.com/data/metrics.json
license_url: https://immigrationdb.com/about/copyright/
citation_schema: immigrationdb-citation-v1
citation_canonical_url: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/
citation_title: "Christchurch, New Zealand: cost of living, jobs, air quality"
citation_author: ImmigrationDB
citation_publisher: ImmigrationDB
citation_snapshot_id: approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab
citation_version: approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab
citation_retrieval_date: 2026-09-14
citation_build_date: 2026-09-14
citation_license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
---

# Christchurch

Christchurch is a city in New Zealand. The city covers 294.4 km², with a population density of 1,299 people per km² in March 2023. Christchurch had a population of 380,079 in March 2023.

## Answers

Deterministic answers rendered from this page's published values. The JSON twin carries the machine-readable answer objects.

### How many people live in Christchurch?

The published population was 380,079 people in March 2023.

- City-scope resident count. Density, foreign-resident counts and the country-wide figure are separate rows in the table below.
- Value: 380,079 people · Period: March 2023
- Claims: claim-be7f2f4bb08a
### Is the air quality good in Christchurch?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 10.1 µg/m³ (2012) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³.

- Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.
- Value: 10.1 µg/m³ · Period: 2012
- Claims: claim-dd9405020b00
### What is the unemployment rate in Christchurch?

The unemployment rate is 4.1 % (2023).

- Value: 4.1 % · Period: 2023
- Claims: claim-d9b9821b0497
## Facts

| Metric | metric_id | Value | Scope | Observed | Verified | Freshness | Lane | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Foreign residents | `foreign_population_total` | 108,645 people | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| Population | `population_total` | 380,079 people | city | 2023-03-07 | 2026-08-13 | stale | verified | [2] |
| Unemployment rate | `unemployment_total_percent` | 4.1 % | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| PM2.5 — annual mean | `air_quality_pm25_annual_ug_m3` | 10.1 µg/m³ | city | 2012-12-31 | 2026-08-26 | stale | verified | [3] |
| Average daytime high by month | `climate_monthly_high_c` | Jan 22.5 · Feb 22.2 · Mar 20.3 · Apr 17.2 · May 14.7 · Jun 11.7 · Jul 11.2 · Aug 12.5 · Sep 14.8 · Oct 16.9 · Nov 18.8 · Dec 21.1 °C | city | 1991-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [4] |
| Average night-time low by month | `climate_monthly_low_c` | Jan 11.8 · Feb 11.5 · Mar 9.5 · Apr 6.6 · May 3.9 · Jun 1.2 · Jul 0.7 · Aug 2 · Sep 3.9 · Oct 5.8 · Nov 7.6 · Dec 10.4 °C | city | 1991-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [5] |
| Average temperature by month | `climate_monthly_mean_c` | Jan 17.1 · Feb 16.9 · Mar 14.9 · Apr 11.9 · May 9.3 · Jun 6.4 · Jul 6 · Aug 7.3 · Sep 9.3 · Oct 11.3 · Nov 13.2 · Dec 15.7 °C | city | 1991-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [6] |
| Average precipitation by month | `climate_monthly_precip_mm` | Jan 42.4 · Feb 39.8 · Mar 45.1 · Apr 57.5 · May 58.1 · Jun 68.3 · Jul 64.2 · Aug 58.1 · Sep 42.2 · Oct 49.1 · Nov 45.1 · Dec 47.8 mm | city | 1991-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [7] |
| Average sunshine by month | `climate_monthly_sunshine_h` | Jan 227.5 · Feb 195.2 · Mar 190.6 · Apr 158.1 · May 141.2 · Jun 115.3 · Jul 127.8 · Aug 156.5 · Sep 169.1 · Oct 205.4 · Nov 226.7 · Dec 215 hours | city | 1991-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [8] |
| City area | `city_area_km2` | 294.4 km² | city | 2023-01-01 | 2026-07-15 | stale | verified | [9] |
| Fitness club membership, monthly | `col_fitness_club_eur_month` | 25.26 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Col Groceries Index Basket Eur Month | `col_groceries_index_basket_eur_month` | 84.38 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited | `col_internet_60mbps_eur_month` | 43.52 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Private kindergarten, monthly | `col_kindergarten_private_eur_month` | 629.3 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | `col_meal_inexpensive_restaurant_eur` | 12.73 eur | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Mobile plan, 10 GB | `col_mobile_plan_10gb_eur_month` | 21.52 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Monthly transport pass | `col_transport_monthly_pass_eur` | 91.67 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² home | `col_utilities_basic_85m2_eur_month` | 145.1 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |
| Foreign-resident share | `foreign_population_share_percent` | 27.8 % | city | 2023-12-31 | 2026-08-03 | stale | verified | [1] |
| Population density | `population_density_per_km2` | 1,299 people/km² | city | 2023-03-07 | 2026-07-15 | stale | verified | [11] |
| Destinations from nearest airport | `nearest_airport_destinations_count` | 20 count | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [12] |
| Nearest airport | `nearest_airport_iata` | CHC | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [13] |
| Distance to nearest airport | `nearest_airport_km` | 10 km | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | verified | [13] |
| Public transport monthly pass | `public_transport_monthly_pass_eur` | 91.67 EUR/month | city | 2026-08-03 | 2026-08-03 | fresh | supplemental | [10] |

Every row keeps the value, unit, geographic scope, observation date, verification date and the numbered source below. A missing metric means the city does not publish it; nothing is imputed.

## Language courses and integration

- [Te Pūkenga – Ara Institute of Canterbury](https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/PELT-Directory-of-Providers.pdf) — City campus, 130 Madras Street, Christchurch · checked 2026-08-10
- [Canterbury College Ltd](https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/PELT-Directory-of-Providers.pdf) — 166 Tuam Street, City Centre, Christchurch · checked 2026-08-10
- [Christchurch City College](https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/PELT-Directory-of-Providers.pdf) — 282 Durham Street North, Christchurch · checked 2026-08-10
- [English Language Partners New Zealand](https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/PELT-Directory-of-Providers.pdf) — Level 1, 334 Manchester Street, Christchurch · checked 2026-08-10
- [PEETO Multicultural Learning Centre](https://www.tec.govt.nz/assets/Publications-and-others/PELT-Directory-of-Providers.pdf) — 22 Twigger Street, Addington, Christchurch · checked 2026-08-10
- [Christchurch](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-strategies-and-programmes/supporting-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/welcoming-communities/immigration-new-zealand-leads-welcoming-communities/) · checked 2026-08-10

Only exact city-linked records are listed; this is not a complete directory of every language school in the city. Provider-supplied records stay separate from government-verified services.

## Public employment service

- [Work and Income employment service](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/) — Job Search

This is a country-level service, not proof of a physical office in this city.

## Healthcare access

Migrants can receive medical care in Christchurch when the country-wide insurance or residence conditions are met. City capacity facts do not determine personal eligibility.

- Public healthcare access for foreign residents: Conditional — [official source](https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/hospitals-services/eligibility-subsidies/publicly-funded-healthcare)

## Country-wide rules

Visa, benefit, tax and healthcare eligibility rules are published on the [New Zealand country page](https://immigrationdb.com/countries/new-zealand/).

## International community

Citizenship, country of birth, language and ancestry are kept as separate source-native dimensions.

### Country of birth

- Australia: 6,906 (1.8%)
- Pacific Islands: 6,987 (1.8%)
- United Kingdom and Ireland: 21,216 (5.6%)
- Europe (excl United Kingdom and Ireland): 7,122 (1.9%)
- North America: 3,879 (1.0%)
- Asia: 49,374 (13.1%)
- Middle East and Africa: 7,668 (2.0%)
- Other: 2,703 (0.7%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

### Ancestry or ethnicity

- European: 286,494 (75.4%)
- Māori: 42,888 (11.3%)
- Pacific Peoples: 16,557 (4.4%)
- Asian: 66,672 (17.5%)
- Middle Eastern/Latin American/African: 7,326 (1.9%)
- Other Ethnicity: 4,242 (1.1%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

### Ancestry or ethnicity

- European nfd: 1,383 (0.4%)
- New Zealand European: 266,010 (70.0%)
- Other European: 25,041 (6.6%)
- Māori: 42,888 (11.3%)
- Pacific Peoples nfd: 90 (0.0%)
- Samoan: 9,642 (2.5%)
- Cook Islands Maori: 2,490 (0.7%)
- Tongan: 2,646 (0.7%)
- Niuean: 774 (0.2%)
- Tokelauan: 183 (0.0%)
- Fijian: 1,416 (0.4%)
- Other Pacific Peoples: 672 (0.2%)
- Asian nfd: 1,194 (0.3%)
- Southeast Asian: 17,436 (4.6%)
- Chinese: 20,940 (5.5%)
- Indian: 16,119 (4.2%)
- Other Asian: 11,679 (3.1%)
- Middle Eastern: 2,031 (0.5%)
- Latin American: 3,189 (0.8%)
- African: 2,130 (0.6%)
- Other Ethnicity: 4,242 (1.1%)
- Population universe: Census usually resident population count for the 2023 Census place-summary geography
- Period: 2023 Census
- Source: https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/api/export-zip/5001

## Sources

1. Stats NZ — Official source — https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/places/ta/christchurch-city
2. Stats NZ Urban Rural 2023 place summaries — Census population — Official source — https://tools.summaries.stats.govt.nz/places/UR
3. cdn.who.int — Official source — https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/air-pollution-documents/air-quality-and-health/who_ambient_air_quality_database_version_2024_%28v6.1%29.xlsx?download=true&sfvrsn=c504c0cd_3
4. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI — Official source — https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/data-composite-primary-parameters/wmo_normals_9120_TMAX.csv
5. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI — Official source — https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/data-composite-primary-parameters/wmo_normals_9120_TMIN.csv
6. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI — Official source — https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/data-composite-primary-parameters/wmo_normals_9120_TAVG.csv
7. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI — Official source — https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/data-composite-primary-parameters/wmo_normals_9120_PRCP.csv
8. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI — Official source — https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/data-composite-primary-parameters/wmo_normals_9120_TSUN.csv
9. Official Stats NZ Urban-rural 2023 area for the exact UR2023 urban-area code. AREA_SQ_KM is the clipped official geography used here; no territorial-authority or SA observation is substituted. — Official source — https://services2.arcgis.com/vKb0s8tBIA3bdocZ/ArcGIS/rest/services/UR2023/FeatureServer/0/query?where=UR2023_V1_00%20IN%20('1007'%2C'1025'%2C'1026'%2C'1043'%2C'1055'%2C'1071'%2C'1094'%2C'1121'%2C'1125'%2C'1134'%2C'1142'%2C'1153'%2C'1157'%2C'1159'%2C'1160'%2C'1166'%2C'1169'%2C'1173'%2C'1174'%2C'1179'%2C'1180'%2C'1186'%2C'1187'%2C'1197'%2C'1199'%2C'1204'%2C'1215'%2C'1226'%2C'1229'%2C'1234'%2C'1242'%2C'1246'%2C'1257'%2C'1263'%2C'1266'%2C'1283'%2C'1288'%2C'1292'%2C'1296'%2C'1302'%2C'1308'%2C'1313'%2C'1316'%2C'1324'%2C'1331'%2C'1342'%2C'1347'%2C'1357'%2C'1364'%2C'1369'%2C'1381'%2C'1389'%2C'1390'%2C'1391'%2C'1394'%2C'1398'%2C'1403'%2C'1406'%2C'2010'%2C'2020'%2C'2042'%2C'2051'%2C'2058'%2C'2096'%2C'2102'%2C'2106'%2C'2134'%2C'2135'%2C'2139'%2C'2148'%2C'2158'%2C'2161'%2C'2187'%2C'2195'%2C'2200'%2C'2212'%2C'2217'%2C'2229'%2C'2243'%2C'2275'%2C'2278')&outFields=UR2023_V1_00%2CUR2023_V1_00_NAME%2CUR2023_V1_00_NAME_ASCII%2CLAND_AREA_SQ_KM%2CAREA_SQ_KM%2CShape__Area&returnGeometry=true&outSR=2193&geometryPrecision=2&f=geojson
10. Numbeo — Independent source — https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Christchurch
11. Reproducible exact-UR2023 density using the existing official Stats NZ population denominator and the exact official UR2023 area. No observation geography is promoted. — Official source — https://services2.arcgis.com/vKb0s8tBIA3bdocZ/arcgis/rest/services/2023_Census_totals_by_topic_for_individuals_by_SA1/FeatureServer/0/query
12. OpenFlights — Official source — https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jpatokal/openflights/master/data/routes.dat
13. OurAirports — Official source — https://davidmegginson.github.io/ourairports-data/airports.csv

## Cite

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately.

### APA

ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 14). Christchurch, New Zealand: cost of living, jobs, air quality [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; version approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/ Retrieved 2026-09-14. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

### BibTeX

```bibtex
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_christchurch-new-zealand-cost-of-living-jobs-air-quality_55b0290455d5,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Christchurch, New Zealand: cost of living, jobs, air quality},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-14},
  version = {approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab},
  snapshot = {approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-14. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
```

### Markdown

[Christchurch, New Zealand: cost of living, jobs, air quality](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; version approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab; retrieved 2026-09-14; built 2026-09-14.

- Citation schema: `immigrationdb-citation-v1`
- Canonical URL: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/
- Title: Christchurch, New Zealand: cost of living, jobs, air quality
- Author: ImmigrationDB
- Publisher: ImmigrationDB
- Snapshot: `approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab`
- Version: `approved-static-8975a8c3d87026ab`
- Retrieved: 2026-09-14
- Built: 2026-09-14
- Compilation license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

## Data

- HTML: https://immigrationdb.com/cities/nz/christchurch/
- JSON: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/christchurch.json
- Markdown: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/nz/christchurch.md
- MCP resource: immigrationdb://city/nz/christchurch
- Metric dictionary: https://immigrationdb.com/data/metrics.json
- City shard index: https://immigrationdb.com/data/cities/index.json
- Release catalog: https://immigrationdb.com/data/catalog.json