By: Nick Callos
Remote work is here to stay. An Upwork study predicts 22% of employees will be fully remote by 2025, and Gallup data shows only 20% of workers spent their work hours fully on-site.
The rise of remote work presents a unique financial opportunity: geoarbitrage.
Geoarbitrage is living cheaply in one place while working for a company in another place. Only feasible for those with location-independent work, utilizing geoarbitrage is as simple as working your remote job from an affordable city of your choosing.
The benefits of geoarbitrage are easy to see:
- You can lower expenses and boost savings by residing in a place with a lower cost of living.
- Your earnings stay the same as before—because you keep the job in the expensive city.
To understand the potential, consider this example: You’re a financial analyst for a company in New York City. Instead of living in New York City, you live in Perth, Australia, a city with a 48.4% lower cost of living than NYC. You get the Big Apple salary with a much lower cost of living.
Think of how much you can increase savings.
By leveraging geoarbitrage to increase savings, you can achieve financial freedom sooner and get to semi-retirement or retirement while you still have the energy to explore the world.
Are you intrigued to learn more? One of the next things to consider is where to live.
Well, how about Oceania?
Oceania is home to Australia and New Zealand—two countries where you’ll find multicultural cities and incredible nature, along with a high quality of life. The continent includes Australia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia, and offers a diversity of lifestyles, from traditional island life to big city fun. Whether you want to enjoy a laid-back life on the Cook Islands or live it up in Auckland, Oceania has you covered. The tropical and subtropical climate of this continent in the South and Central Pacific keeps you cozy year-round too.
If Oceania interests you, read on to learn about the best geoarbitrage cities in Oceania.
- In our geoarbitrage guide, we cover everything about geographic arbitrage, from selecting a destination to leasing a home.
- In this article, we’ll assist you with choosing a destination in Oceania.
Why You Should Choose Oceania for Geoarbitrage
While some cities in Oceania are expensive, especially Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland, many of the continent’s great places to live have reasonable living costs and a high quality of life. These cities offer newcomers a friendly environment, rich cultural traditions, and unspoiled nature. The cities on our list also have solid infrastructure (healthcare, education, transportation, etc).
- Read our guide on the Best Digital Nomad Cities for more information on potential geoarbitrage destinations.
Now, let’s introduce the best geoarbitrage cities in Oceania. See which destinations interest you, and start planning your move to the South and Central Pacific.
Cairns, Australia
Photo by Mitchell Y on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $1,088 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,930 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $942 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,634 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Expatisan data, total cost of living, including rent, is 60% higher in Singapore than in Cairns. Making $80,000 annually in Cairns will yield a similar standard of living as making $128,000 annually in Singapore.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Oceania:
A laid-back city known for its outdoor activities, Cairns is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and boasts quality dining, cultural activities, and infrastructure. The town is friendly and welcoming, with great weather throughout the winter. Plus, Cairns has a low cost of living compared to other cities in Australia, such as Sydney. It’s simply one of the best geoarbitrage cities if you’re looking to move to Oz.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Average Rent
- City Center: $1,327 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,986 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $1,212 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,387 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Numbeo data, consumer prices, including rent, are 120% higher in New York City than in Christchurch. Making $80,000 annually in Christchurch will yield a similar standard of living as making $176,000 annually in New York City.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Oceania:
Featuring a thriving urban center, wide open green spaces, temperate climate, and top-notch healthcare and education, 81% of Christchurch residents rate their quality of life as good—a testament to the city as a great place to live. From cycling paths and wildlife preserves to the art galleries and museums, Christchurch inspires you to enjoy every day alongside a stunning Pacific backdrop. It’s a top option if New Zealand is where you’re looking to live.
Suva, Fiji
Photo by Ethan Hooson on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $744 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,712 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $312 (1-Bedroom) up to $750 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Numbeo data, consumer prices, including rent, are 161% higher in Los Angeles than in Suva, Fiji. Making $80,000 annually in Suva will yield a similar standard of living as making $208,800 annually in Los Angeles.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Oceania:
As Fiji’s capital and largest city, Suva offers residents historical sites, bustling markets, charming parks, and vibrant nightlife. It’s the perfect blend of modern city life with traditional Fijian influences. It’s here you’ll find the best healthcare in the country—an important thing to consider. Plus, the best beaches in the country aren’t too far away. The tourism ads really don’t lie: Suva, Fiji is a place where happiness comes naturally.
Papeete, French Polynesia
Photo by Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $920 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,796 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $808 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,257 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Expatisan data, total cost of living, including rent, is 33% higher in Hong Kong than in French Polynesia, with rent prices being 117% more expensive in Hong Kong. Making $80,000 annually in Papeete will yield a similar standard of living as making $106,400 annually in Hong Kong.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Oceania:
Located in Tahiti, Papeete is the capital and economic hub of French Polynesia, a country known for its tropical climate, welcoming people, fresh air, amazing nature, and high rankings for safety. If you want the simple, relaxed lifestyle French Polynesia offers, with access to modern amenities (such as affordable healthcare), Papeete is a top choice.
Adelaide, Australia
Photo by regirock365 on Unsplash
Average Rent
- City Center: $1,394 (1-Bedroom) up to $2,456 (3-Bedroom)
- Outside City Center: $1,056 (1-Bedroom) up to $1,665 (3-Bedroom)
Consider This Cost of Living Comparison:
According to Numbeo data, consumer prices, including rent, are 65.3% higher in San Francisco than in Adelaide, Australia. Making $80,000 annually in Adelaide will yield a similar standard of living as making $132,240 annually in San Francisco.
Why It’s Among the Best Geoarbitrage Cities in Oceania:
The Economist’s Global Liveability Index has repeatedly ranked Adelaide among the top for quality of life not only in Australia, but also in the world. Adelaide gets such recognition because the city prioritizes health and wellbeing, public safety, cultural events, green space, and entertainment. It’s also an affordable town to call home, especially when compared to Australia’s other large cities.
Finding the Best Geoarbitrage City in Oceania
This list of the best geoarbitrage cities in Oceania highlights affordable cities with a high quality of life. This isn’t a complete list, as there are many other great cities across Oceania to reside.
When selecting a destination in Oceania, think about the lifestyle you want. All these destinations offer access to beautiful nature and outdoor activities, while only some have big city-style entertainment and activities. So, consider your lifestyle, along with preferences for culture, politics, amenities, and more. Also, calculate your budget to make sure you’re financially prepared. And, if needed, obtain your digital nomad or remote work visa before going.
The perfect geoarbitrage city will differ for everyone, and this article is meant to get you started. For more inspiration, and to start planning your move, read our other geographic arbitrage resources:
- The Ultimate Guide to Geoarbitrage
- Using Geographic Arbitrage to Beat Inflation
- Digital Nomad Work Visas
About the Author
Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.
Featured image by Martin David on Unsplash
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