The number of Christchurch families seeking help from food-banks has increased at double the rate of the rest of the country.

The Salvation Army's State of the Nation report shows a frightening rise in the number of families falling into food poverty.

They report a 12 per cent rise in the Garden City of families turning to food banks to feed their kids.

City Missioner Matthew Mark says there is a real gap in Christchurch between the cost of living and wages.

"We've seen a 26 per cent increase on the demand on our food bank and the lion share of that increase has been working families so when mum and dad are both out there working. They are generally real good hard grafters but they just can't make ends meet."

He says Christchurch also has societal challenges that stem from the earthquakes such as behavioural issues in children.

However, the report shows Christchurch is bucking national trends in house prices.

The report shows while house prices have increased across the country, they have remained stagnant at zero percent in Christchurch.

And while rents have increased elsewhere, in the Christchurch suburb of Woolston they have dropped by minus 7.9 percent.

Mark says cheaper rentals are good for families.

"People are able to afford to be able to rent more effectively or a better, safer home for their families, which is a real positive."