However a significant portion of Rotorua and outlying areas scored at or near the "most deprived" end of the scale including 10 with a 10, eight with a 9 and five with an 8.
Ian McDowell, of McDowell Professionals, said the areas that scored a 10 were where a large number of lower-cost rental properties were.
"We're a town with a lot of rental properties," he said.
Many low-income tenants were on benefits and might not have access to internet or a home phone, he said.
Western Heights Community Association chairman Owen Roberts said despite the suburb's score of 10, that didn't mean there was anything wrong with the people who lived there.
"There's some very good people living in the area," Mr Roberts said.
He said there were a lot of low-cost rental properties in Western Heights and, over the years, there had been a decline in property values.
But Mr Roberts said Western Heights had a lot going for it and certainly wasn't deprived when it came to facilities.
He said it was close to town, had a good shopping centre and public transport, many areas had good views and it was close to walks of Mt Ngongotaha. There was an active community association, a community patrol, a new skatepark and a number of good pre-schools and schools.
"It's popular with families. It's always been known as a starting place for a lot of families buying here and moving on."
Mr Roberts said he had lived in neighbouring Selwyn Heights, which also ranked a "most deprived" 10 on the index, for 39 years. "We have one of the best views in Rotorua."
