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Home / New Zealand

Wellington ranked among top 10 cities for Gen Z to live in alongside Copenhagen, Ottawa

Imogene Bedford
Journalist·NZ Herald·
30 Apr, 2026 08:00 PM3 mins to read
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NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Labour Party’s lack of policy, Christchurch man faces 43 charges for fuel theft, changes set to make OCR decisions more transparent.

Wellington has ranked among the world’s most attractive destinations for Gen Zs to live in, placing 10th in a new global survey.

The capital scored a 66.5 for safety and had one of the lowest rent index scores in the top 10 cities.

Judging 150 cities, the Remitly survey assessed each across nine different categories, including rent affordability, safety index, LGBTQ+ equality, and average monthly net salaries.

With nearly one in five Wellingtonians aged between 20 and 29, the city is said to offer a social environment, contributing to its overall score of 68.46 out of 100.

Remitly Europe CEO Eva Borislavova said the findings highlight what matters most to young people relocating abroad.

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“For a generation that has grown up with the world at their fingertips, the idea of starting a new life abroad has never felt more within reach. But the reality can be far more complex.

Ottawa in Canada was ranked eighth on the list. Photo / Vadim Illarionov
Ottawa in Canada was ranked eighth on the list. Photo / Vadim Illarionov

“Practical factors like the cost of living, housing, job opportunities, safety and the ability to find a sense of community all play a critical role, especially for younger people taking that first step.”

While Australia and Britain continue to be top spots for young Kiwi expats, the survey suggests less obvious cities could become increasingly competitive amid the global cost-of-living crisis.

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Copenhagen took out the top spot thanks to a high quality of life rating, higher wages and low levels of youth unemployment, achieving a score of 76.7.

“What our research shows is that success isn’t always found in the biggest, most talked-about cities,” Borislavova said.

“Places like Copenhagen, Groningen and Pittsburgh stand out because they offer something just as important: a real opportunity to build financial stability early on.”

Copenhagen took out the top spot thanks to a high quality of life rating. Photo / Getty Images
Copenhagen took out the top spot thanks to a high quality of life rating. Photo / Getty Images

The only other New Zealand city to crack the survey’s top 50 was Christchurch, placing 46th, while Auckland was 67th.

It comes as Gen Z interest in traditional overseas experiences appears to be in decline.

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In 2024, a Southern Cross Travel Insurance survey found Kiwis were more likely to consider living overseas than Australians.

Some 75% of those aged between 18 and 44 were open to moving for three months or longer, a full 10% more than Australians in the same age range.

But the most recent survey of the same demographic recorded a drop to 55% as concerns about high living costs worsen.

World’s top 10 best cities for Gen Z to move to:

  1. Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. Bern, Switzerland
  3. Groningen, Netherlands
  4. Bergen, Norway
  5. Eindhoven, Netherlands
  6. Pittsburgh, United States
  7. Utrecht, Netherlands
  8. Ottawa, Canada
  9. Trondheim, Norway
  10. Wellington, New Zealand
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