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City Profile

Matamata, Waikato

New Zealand · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Matamata Custom Comparison
67
Overall Score

Matamata is a vibrant rural town located in the heart of the Waikato region of New Zealand, nestled at the foot of the Kaimai Ranges. Internationally renowned as the home of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, the town attracts global tourists while maintaining a strong, community-focused agricultural identity. Its picturesque landscape is characterized by rolling green hills, fertile dairy farms, and a welcoming country-town atmosphere that draws families and retirees alike.

About Waikato

Waikato, located in the central North Island, is characterized by its fertile agricultural lands, diverse natural environment, and a relaxed lifestyle. The economy is robust and diverse, with major industries including agriculture (especially dairy farming), forestry, manufacturing, energy generation (geothermal and hydroelectric), and a growing technology sector. Living in Waikato generally offers a more affordable cost of living compared to larger cities like Auckland, with Hamilton, the region's largest city, providing relatively lower housing costs. The region experiences a temperate climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters, and generally plentiful rainfall year-round, though specific conditions vary across its diverse landscapes. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that balances rural tranquility with access to urban amenities, outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community.

8,400
Population
$52K
Avg Salary
88
Cost Index
66.8
Quality Score
How this 67/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 82 / 100 82.0 30% 24.6
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 88.0 58.8 25% 14.7
Economy & jobs Median household income: $58,000 Income needed to live here: $45,000 Unemployment rate: 4.8% 63.1 20% 12.6
Growth Population growth rate: 1.1% Job growth rate: 1.8% 54.3 15% 8.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 66.8

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
78
Affordability
70
Growth
72

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Matamata is generally more affordable than New Zealand's larger metropolitan centers like Auckland and Tauranga, though housing and utilities have seen steady increases. Everyday expenses such as locally sourced groceries and basic services align well with regional Waikato averages, offering a balanced lifestyle for residents. While property prices have risen due to its popularity and tourism appeal, it remains a cost-effective alternative to major urban hubs.

Average Rent
$1,400/mo
Groceries
$380/mo
Transport
$110/mo
Utilities
$160/mo
Healthcare
$120/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$40.00
Cinema ticket
$12.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$25.00
Monthly groceries
$380.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$65.00

Income

Salary Insights

Matamata's economy is heavily anchored by the agricultural sector, particularly dairy farming, equine breeding, and horticulture. Tourism also plays a massive role in employment and economic growth, driven by the enduring global popularity of the Hobbiton Movie Set attraction. Additionally, retail, light manufacturing, and professional services supporting the rural community provide a steady and resilient local job market.

The average salary in Matamata is $52,000 per year. You would need approximately $45,000 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Retail Trade +1.40% Healthcare and Social Assistance +2.40% Tourism and Hospitality +3.20% Agriculture and Dairy +1.50% Equine Breeding and Training +1.80%

Weather

Climate

🌡️
14°C
Avg Temp
☀️
14°C
Summer High
❄️
13°C
Winter Low
🌧️
63.30"
Annual Rain
💧
78.00%
Humidity
🌤️
220
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Matamata is primarily a car-dependent town, where most residents drive for daily commuting, errands, and regional travel. The town center is compact and pedestrian-friendly, offering good walkability for local shopping and dining. State Highway 27 and State Highway 24 provide convenient road links to Hamilton, Tauranga, and Rotorua.

22 min
Avg Commute
35.00/10
Transit Score
65.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
World-famous tourism hub providing a unique local economy centered around the Hobbiton Movie Set
Affordable housing options compared to major New Zealand cities like Auckland and Tauranga
Low crime rates and a strong, welcoming community-oriented safety profile
Proximity to stunning natural landscapes including the Kaimai Ranges and regional walking trails
Strong agricultural and dairy sector providing stable regional employment opportunities
Drawbacks
High reliance on private motor vehicles due to limited public transit options
Fluctuating seasonal tourism pressures impacting local traffic and accommodation availability
Limited specialized healthcare facilities locally, requiring travel to Hamilton for advanced care
Narrowing rental vacancy rates due to growing regional migration and housing demand
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger urban centers

Head to Head

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Community Q&A

Questions about Matamata

What people ask about living in and moving to Matamata, Waikato.

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Gathering the most common questions about Matamata…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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