A pay gap continues to exist between Tauranga and Auckland - but employment experts say it's only evident in high-flying senior roles.
The Western Bay's beach lifestyle and lack of traffic means workers continue to flock here despite poorer pay, making the pay gap unlikely to close.
1st Call Recruitment managing director Phill van Syp, who has offices in Tauranga and Auckland, said the pay gap existed only in senior positions.
"For more general roles, it's a fallacy. Most of our people in Tauranga are getting more than people in Auckland."
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Max Mason agreed.
"If you work in a low wage bracket, it doesn't matter whether you live in Tauranga or Auckland, [pay will still be low]," Mr Mason said.
"The cost of living is less here, and that will be reflected in the wages. I don't foresee that's going to change.
"But the attraction of the Tauranga lifestyle will keep people coming here.
"They come down here and think it's a fantastic lifestyle. They are prepared to take less money to drive to work in less time and see their kids play sport," he said.
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"It's a huge benefit we have got."
Claudia Nelson, owner/operator of Tauranga-based recruitment agency The Right Staff, agreed that many people moving to Tauranga were happy to take pay cuts.
High-tier workers earning $120,000 to $130,000 in Tauranga had often taken a pay cut of $20,000 to $30,000, she said.