Christchurch, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.6 /5.0

C+ Fair

412,000 Population 3,615/sq mi density

46 ft Elevation 14 meters

54°F Avg Temperature 12°C

C+

Overall

2.6 / 5.0

Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

C+

Economy

2.9 / 5.0

$28,320 median income, 4.0% unemployment

Affordability

2.2 / 5.0

$223,600 home value, $1,118/mo rent

Christchurch experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 45°F in July. The area gets 283 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 34.2 inches. The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

63°F Jan (17°C) 45°F Jul (7°C)

Annual Average	54.3°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	63°F (17°C)
July Average	45°F (7°C)
Sunny Days	283 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	46 ft (14 m)
Area	114.0 sq mi (295.2 km²)
Population Density	3,615/sq mi
Coordinates	-43.5333°N, 172.6333°W
Timezone	Pacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.2"

10% below US avg

Snowfall 1.1"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.86"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.93"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

676 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.0. Most recent: M3.0 on Aug 30, 2025.

Sep 3, 2010	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	M7.0	65 km
Jun 18, 1994	56 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.8	101 km
Nov 24, 1995	47 km NW of Oxford, New Zealand	M6.2	91 km
Feb 21, 2011	6 km SE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M6.1	7 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M6.0	133 km
Jun 19, 1994	40 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M6.0	88 km
Jun 13, 2011	9 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.9	10 km
Feb 14, 2016	12 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.8	13 km
Feb 10, 1990	90 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.7	132 km
Jan 5, 2015	43 km SSE of Hokitika, New Zealand	M5.6	125 km
Feb 22, 2011	7 km S of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.6	7 km
May 29, 1995	South Island of New Zealand	M5.5	106 km
Sep 19, 2023	Canterbury, New Zealand	M5.5	123 km
Feb 22, 2011	6 km SSE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.5	6 km
Mar 30, 1992	57 km NNW of Methven, New Zealand	M5.5	110 km
Jun 21, 1994	47 km N of Methven, New Zealand	M5.4	92 km
Aug 29, 1996	74 km N of Amberley, New Zealand	M5.2	116 km
Jan 1, 2012	21 km ENE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	21 km
Jun 13, 2011	10 km ESE of Christchurch, New Zealand	M5.2	11 km
Jun 21, 2011	1 km SSE of Prebbleton, New Zealand	M5.2	11 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.5 m (21 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
2016	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Earthquake	6.5 m	2	95 km
1895	PIEGON BAY	Meteorological	5.0 m	—	28 km
1881	PIGEON BAY (BANKS PENINSULA)	Earthquake	3.0 m	—	28 km
1856	S CANTERBURY PROVINCE, SOUTH ISLAND	Unknown	1.0 m	—	73 km
1922	SE. NEW ZEALAND	Earthquake	0.4 m	—	66 km
1978	OFF EAST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND	Meteorological	—	—	57 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	63°F (17°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
February	62°F (17°C)	1.9 in	Driest
March	59°F (15°C)	2.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	2.6 in
May	49°F (9°C)	2.6 in
June	44°F (7°C)	3.2 in	Coldest
July	45°F (7°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
August	46°F (8°C)	3.5 in
September	49°F (10°C)	2.0 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in
November	56°F (14°C)	2.1 in
December	60°F (16°C)	2.1 in

Christchurch has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 44°F in June to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 31.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.9").

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