Cost of Living in Wellington
Summary of cost of living in Wellington, New Zealand:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,604.4$ (6,364.4NZ$), excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 986.9$ (1,742.6NZ$), excluding rent.
- Wellington is 32.3% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Wellington is, on average, 50.1% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 NZ$ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 132.00 NZ$ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 16.00 NZ$ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 11.75 NZ$ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 12.00 NZ$ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 6.14 NZ$ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.35 NZ$ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 3.59 NZ$ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 3.16 NZ$ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.21 NZ$ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 1.47 NZ$ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 11.94 NZ$ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.17 NZ$ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 7.94 NZ$ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 10.45 NZ$ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.36 NZ$ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.74 NZ$ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.37 NZ$ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 3.77 NZ$ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.53 NZ$ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.12 NZ$ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 3.74 NZ$ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.20 NZ$ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 18.00 NZ$ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 5.63 NZ$ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.71 NZ$ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 45.00 NZ$ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 4.53 NZ$ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 190.00 NZ$ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 3.30 NZ$ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 4.35 NZ$ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 60.00 NZ$ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 2.81 NZ$ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 54,000.00 NZ$ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 41,856.00 NZ$ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 254.98 NZ$ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 50.91 NZ$ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 86.62 NZ$ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 64.14 NZ$ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 31.67 NZ$ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 20.00 NZ$ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,332.00 NZ$ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 21,166.67 NZ$ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 119.43 NZ$ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 70.50 NZ$ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 199.12 NZ$ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 261.15 NZ$ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,122.56 NZ$ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,843.75 NZ$ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 3,605.71 NZ$ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 3,172.33 NZ$ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,049.98 NZ$ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 714.50 NZ$ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,616.51 NZ$ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.77 |
Prices in Wellington
This city had 1150 entries in the past 12 months by 100 different contributors.
Last update: 3 November 2025
Last update: 3 November 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Wellington? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Lower Hutt | 10.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Porirua | 13.22 miles |
| Cost of Living in Paraparaumu, Wellington | 32.19 miles |
| Cost of Living in Levin | 58.10 miles |
| Cost of Living in Masterton | 61.60 miles |
| Cost of Living in Palmerston North | 88.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Whanganui | 120.40 miles |
| Cost of Living in Hastings | 188.18 miles |
| Cost of Living in Taupo | 231.09 miles |
| Cost of Living in New Plymouth | 240.16 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Wellington
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 PortuguêsCusto de Vida em Wellington
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 ItalianoCosto della vita a Wellington
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 EspañolCoste de vida en Wellington
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