[rjgray]

In terms of affordability, you'd need to look at average salaries as well. My impression is that Auckland doesn't fare so well on that front.

[lazyasciiart]

Yes, Auckland rates much worse than Seattle (and most of the world) in that comparison - http://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf (Auckland has a median house:median salary ratio of 10.0, Seattle is 5.5)