Moving to Finland from New Zealand
What to Expect
Considering a move from New Zealand to Finland? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from New Zealand to Finland, you would find that Finland is 2.7% more expensive than New Zealand overall. A NZ$130,152 salary in New Zealand would need to be roughly €69,195 in Finland to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Finnish and Swedish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Helsinki averages 48°F vs 62°F in Wellington, making it significantly cooler.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between New Zealand and Finland.
What does your salary buy?
NZ$130,152 → €69,195
To maintain the same standard of living in Finland
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 16.7% more
Groceries
pay 2.6% less
Transportation
pay 20.1% more
Housing
pay 18.4% less
Childcare
pay 32.7% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 20.6% more
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
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Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from New Zealand to Finland.
people moved from New Zealand to Finland · OECD (latest data available)
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Finland compared to New Zealand.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
New Zealand generally does better on safety, though Finland leads in road traffic deaths.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Finland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though New Zealand leads in healthcare spending per person.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Finland performs significantly better than New Zealand across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
share of households with internet
New Zealand generally does better on infrastructure, though Finland leads in water stress level.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
New Zealand generally does better on employment & economy, though Finland leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
New Zealand generally does better on family life, though Finland leads in infant mortality.
Data: New Zealand Inland Revenue Department, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Wellington | Helsinki |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 69°/58°F (21°/14°C) | 29°/18°F (-1°/-8°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 59°/49°F (15°/10°C) | 58°/40°F (14°/4°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 56°/46°F (13°/8°C) | 65°/49°F (19°/10°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 64°/53°F (18°/12°C) | 38°/28°F (3°/-2°C) |
View all months
| Month | Wellington | Helsinki |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°/58°F (21.2°/14.7°C) | 27°/17°F (-2.6°/-8.5°C) |
| Feb | 70°/59°F (21.3°/14.8°C) | 27°/15°F (-2.9°/-9.3°C) |
| Mar | 68°/56°F (19.8°/13.5°C) | 34°/22°F (1.1°/-5.6°C) |
| Apr | 63°/53°F (17.4°/11.5°C) | 46°/31°F (7.5°/-0.7°C) |
| May | 59°/49°F (15.2°/9.7°C) | 60°/40°F (15.5°/4.4°C) |
| Jun | 56°/46°F (13.1°/7.9°C) | 68°/49°F (19.8°/9.3°C) |
| Jul | 54°/44°F (12.3°/6.9°C) | 71°/53°F (21.8°/11.8°C) |
| Aug | 55°/45°F (12.9°/7.4°C) | 68°/51°F (19.9°/10.7°C) |
| Sep | 58°/48°F (14.5°/8.8°C) | 57°/43°F (14.0°/6.1°C) |
| Oct | 60°/50°F (15.8°/10.0°C) | 47°/36°F (8.1°/2.2°C) |
| Nov | 64°/53°F (17.5°/11.4°C) | 36°/28°F (2.5°/-2.4°C) |
| Dec | 67°/56°F (19.6°/13.5°C) | 31°/20°F (-0.8°/-6.6°C) |
Data:
New Zealand National Meteorological Service,
Finnish Meteorological Institute
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between New Zealand and Finland. To live, work, or study long-term in Finland, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Finland's immigration authority.
New Zealand passport holder visiting Finland
Visa Free
Finland passport holder visiting New Zealand
Electronic Travel AuthorisationData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Finland than New Zealand?
On average Finland is around 5% pricier than New Zealand, with notable variation by city.
How much money do I need to move to Finland?
Budget about €17,299 for 3 months in Finland (based on a NZ$130,152 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Finland?
Connectivity is usually fine (Finland: 34.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Finland offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Finland safe for expats?
New Zealand generally does better on safety, though Finland leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Finland is 1.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in New Zealand.
How is healthcare in Finland compared to New Zealand?
Finland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though New Zealand leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 43.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Finland, compared to 35.7 in New Zealand. Finland scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (New Zealand: 85).
What's the weather like in Finland compared to New Zealand?
The average high temperature in Helsinki is 48°F, compared to 62°F in Wellington. Helsinki receives around 25.6 in of rainfall per year, while Wellington gets 37.7 in.
What language do they speak in Finland?
The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish. In New Zealand, the official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
