HAMILTON

Population: 165,400

Median age (at 2018 Census): 32.2 years

Ethnicity: 21.9% born overseas.

Average house price (CoreLogic Research): $865,748

Average annual salary (Source: averagesalarysurvey.com): $84,258

Average mean temperature (Source: Niwa): 13.7°C

Celebrities: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Helen Clark, Nico Porteous, Frank Sargeson, Kimbra

Average household size: 2.7<2.9

AUCKLAND

Population: 1,652,000

Median age (at 2018 Census): 34.7 years

Ethnicity: 41.6% born overseas.

Average house price (CoreLogic Research): Auckland City $1,691,161

Average annual salary (Source: averagesalarysurvey.com): $100,541

Average mean temperature (Source: Niwa) Auckland Airport: 15.7°C

Celebrities: Sir Edmund Hillary, Lorde, Rachel Hunter, Jonah Lomu, Bruce McLaren

Average household size: >2.9

WELLINGTON

Population: 419,000

Median age (at 2018 Census): 34.1 years

Ethnicity: 33.7% born overseas.

Average house price (CoreLogic Research): $1,242,386

Average annual salary (Source: averagesalarysurvey.com): $106,232

Average mean temperature (Source: Niwa) Wellington Airport: 13.8°C

Celebrities: Russell Crowe, Anna Paquin, Taika Waititi, Katherine Mansfield, Russell Coutts
Average household size: 2.5<2.7

CHRISTCHURCH

Population: 402,000

Median age (at 2018 Census): 37.1 years

Ethnicity: 27.1% born overseas.

Average house price (CoreLogic Research): $763,168

Average annual salary (Source: averagesalarysurvey.com): $90,900

Average mean temperature (Source: Niwa) Christchurch Airport: 11.6°C

Celebrities: Lord Ernest Rutherford, Sir Richard Hadlee, John Britten, Dan Carter, Sir John Key, Ngaio Marsh, Sophie Pascoe, Hayley Westenra.
Average household size: 2.5<2.7

DUNEDIN

Population: 114,347

Median age (at 2018 Census): 36.8 years

Ethnicity: 20.0% born overseas.

Average house price (CoreLogic Research): $691,567

Average annual salary (Source: averagesalarysurvey.com): $75,600

Average mean temperature (Source: Niwa) Dunedin Airport: 10.4°C

Celebrities: James K. Baxter, Janet Frame, Brendon McCullum, Laurie Mains, Yvette Corlett (née Williams).

Average household size: 2.3<2.5