Cost of living in Wellington

In Wellington, New Zealand, living costs about $2235 per month for one person and $4982 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Wellington compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Wellington are 103% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Wellington compare to your city?

Wellington is 42% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Wellington is, on average, 46% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Wellington?

Who is Wellington a good fit for?

Wellington is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by rent & utilities and transport. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Wellington so expensive?

The high cost of living in Wellington is primarily due to elevated rent and utilities. This drives up overall expenses significantly.

Is food expensive in Wellington?

Yes, food costs are 55% higher than the European benchmark, making dining out and groceries more costly.

Is public transport affordable in Wellington?

Public transport fares are 95% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall cost of living.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2235 $
Without Rent
827 $
Rent & Utilities
1407 $
Food
579 $
Transport
118 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2869 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
216.0K

Do you live in Wellington? Help us.

Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 14.4 $
Dinner 73.7 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.62 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 7.67 $
Capuccino 3.62 $
Coke, 330ml 2.7 $

Compare Wellington with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.82 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.11 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.17 $
Eggs, 12 pack 7.08 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.2 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.3 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.6 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.11 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.52 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.38 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.72 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.49 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.01 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.87 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.33 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 10.4 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.24 $
Cigarette pack 25.3 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.7 $
Monthly Pass 133 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.79 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.4 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 33.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 11.6 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 5.19 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.24 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.66 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 105 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 159 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 57.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,212 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,135 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,379 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,525 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 8,089 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 7,074 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,869 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 7.00%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 38.6 $
Cinema, 1 seat 12.6 $
Haircut 19.1 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 125 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 81 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 822 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 13,500 $

Compare Wellington with other top cities

Australia
Wellington vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 7% more expensive) Wellington vs Sydney (Sydney is 25% more expensive) Wellington vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 11% more expensive) Wellington vs Perth (Perth is 5% more expensive) Wellington vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 0% more expensive) Wellington vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 3% more expensive) Wellington vs Canberra (Canberra is 7% more expensive) Wellington vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 22% less expensive) Wellington vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 31% less expensive) Wellington vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 16% less expensive)
New Zealand
Wellington vs Auckland (Auckland is 1% less expensive) Wellington vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 11% less expensive) Wellington vs Manukau (Manukau is 13% less expensive) Wellington vs Wellington (Wellington has similar costs) Wellington vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 25% less expensive) Wellington vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 20% less expensive) Wellington vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 35% less expensive) Wellington vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 17% less expensive) Wellington vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 41% less expensive) Wellington vs Napier (Napier is 37% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Wellington vs Majuro (Majuro is 32% less expensive) Wellington vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 32% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Wellington vs Honiara (Honiara is 35% less expensive) Wellington vs Auki (Auki is 34% less expensive)
Palau
Wellington vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 48% less expensive) Wellington vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 48% less expensive)
Tonga
Wellington vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 57% less expensive) Wellington vs Mua (Mua is 57% less expensive)
Fiji
Wellington vs Suva (Suva is 59% less expensive) Wellington vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 60% less expensive) Wellington vs Nadi (Nadi is 60% less expensive) Wellington vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 73% less expensive)
Samoa
Wellington vs Manase (Manase is 70% less expensive) Wellington vs Apia (Apia is 70% less expensive)
Nauru
Wellington vs Yaren (Yaren is 72% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Wellington vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 73% less expensive) Wellington vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 73% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Wellington vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 75% less expensive) Wellington vs Lae (Lae is 76% less expensive)
Kiribati
Wellington vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 77% less expensive) Wellington vs London (London is 77% less expensive)