affordwhere
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. New Zealand
  4. /
  5. Christchurch
  6. /
  7. Riccarton

Riccarton, Christchurch: Neighborhood Guide for Expats

University suburb west of CBD. Canterbury University, Riccarton Bush, shopping mall, and student-friendly.

Commute to Center

15 min

bus

Safety Rating

4/5

Safe

Vibe

universitystudentsshopping

Rent Prices in Riccarton

Monthly rent in NZD ($). First-hand contracts are directly with the landlord or housing company. Second-hand (sublet) contracts are typically more expensive.

Apartment SizeFirst-Hand RentSecond-Hand Rent
1 Bedroom$1,400 - $1,700/mo$1,600 - $1,900/mo
2 Bedrooms$1,800 - $2,200/mo$2,000 - $2,400/mo
3 Bedrooms$2,200 - $2,700/mo$2,400 - $2,900/mo

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is rent in Riccarton, Christchurch?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Riccarton costs $1,600 - $1,900/month (second-hand contract) or $1,400 - $1,700/month (first-hand). A 2-bedroom ranges from $2,000 - $2,400/month, and a 3-bedroom from $2,400 - $2,900/month.
Is Riccarton safe for expats?
Riccarton has a safety rating of 4/5 (Safe). It is generally considered a safe area for expats and families.
How long is the commute from Riccarton to Christchurch center?
The commute from Riccarton to Christchurch city center takes approximately 15 minutes by bus.
What is Riccarton like to live in?
University suburb west of CBD. Canterbury University, Riccarton Bush, shopping mall, and student-friendly. The neighborhood is known for being university, students, shopping.

Other Neighborhoods in Christchurch

Christchurch CBD

5 min walk to center

1BR from $1,700/mo

modernrebuiltinnovative

Merivale

10 min bus to center

1BR from $1,800/mo

upscaleboutiquesleafy

Addington

10 min bus to center

1BR from $1,600/mo

affordableemergingconvenient

St Albans

12 min bus to center

1BR from $1,700/mo

residentialestablishedcommunity

Sydenham

10 min bus to center

1BR from $1,500/mo

budgetcreativerevitalizing

Calculate What You Can Afford in Christchurch

Enter your salary to see your net pay, budget breakdown, and which neighborhoods fit your budget.

Try the Christchurch Calculator
affordwhere

Know what your salary buys before you move. Take-home pay, neighborhoods, and savings across 120+ cities in 33 countries.

Updated Jan 2026

Explore

  • Calculator
  • Blog
  • Data sources
  • Benchmarks

Countries

AustraliaAustriaBelgiumCanadaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHong KongIndiaIndonesiaIrelandItalyJapanMalaysiaMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalSingaporeSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandUAEU.K.U.S.A.Vietnam

Company

  • About
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 AffordWhere. Estimates only, not financial advice.

2026 tax rules • Jan 2026 rent data