Cost of Living in Lower Hutt - Updated Prices & Insights

74.11

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,026 (excluding rent), and $2,282 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,516 (excluding rent), and $4,340 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.24 NZ$28.44

$10.7 NZ$17.64

$29.72 NZ$49.02

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.5 NZ$139

$36.23 NZ$59.8

$109 NZ$179

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.7 NZ$17.64

$8.99 NZ$14.82

$13.79 NZ$22.74

Cappuccino

$3.72 NZ$6.13

$3.09 NZ$5.1

$4.33 NZ$7.14

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.39 NZ$3.94

$1.23 NZ$2.03

$3.06 NZ$5.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.2 NZ$3.63

$1.2 NZ$1.98

$2.99 NZ$4.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.41 NZ$12.22

$3.08 NZ$5.08

$9.25 NZ$15.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.27 NZ$10.34

$5.08 NZ$8.38

$8.96 NZ$14.77

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 NZ$3.08

$0.85 NZ$1.4

$2.89 NZ$4.77

White Bread (500g)

$2.11 NZ$3.47

$0.77 NZ$1.26

$2.77 NZ$4.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.87 NZ$3.08

$1.04 NZ$1.71

$2.35 NZ$3.88

Eggs

$7.09 NZ$11.7

$5.1 NZ$8.41

$8.73 NZ$14.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.13 NZ$13.41

$5.38 NZ$8.88

$13.16 NZ$21.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.28 NZ$15.31

$4.87 NZ$8.03

$12.18 NZ$20.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.16 NZ$21.7

$7.61 NZ$12.55

$15.21 NZ$25.08

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 NZ$4.02

$0.83 NZ$1.37

$3.57 NZ$5.88

Banana (1kg)

$2.14 NZ$3.53

$1.59 NZ$2.63

$2.44 NZ$4.03

Oranges (1kg)

$2.57 NZ$4.24

$1.49 NZ$2.46

$4.75 NZ$7.84

Tomato (1kg)

$4.68 NZ$7.72

$1.48 NZ$2.44

$7.11 NZ$11.72

Potato (1kg)

$2.02 NZ$3.33

$0.89 NZ$1.47

$2.98 NZ$4.92

Onion (1kg)

$1.71 NZ$2.82

$0.87 NZ$1.44

$2.92 NZ$4.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 NZ$3.76

$1.24 NZ$2.04

$3.4 NZ$5.6

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.3 NZ$2.14

$0.43 NZ$0.71

$2.46 NZ$4.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.51 NZ$37.13

$18.3 NZ$30.18

$25.63 NZ$42.27

Wine (Bottle)

$9.22 NZ$15.21

$6.76 NZ$11.16

$12.3 NZ$20.29

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.7 NZ$6.11

$1.24 NZ$2.05

$7.43 NZ$12.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 NZ$5.35

$1.83 NZ$3.02

$4.88 NZ$8.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.64 NZ$4.36

$2.35 NZ$3.88

$2.94 NZ$4.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.3 NZ$99.4

$30.14 NZ$49.71

$90.4 NZ$149

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.72 NZ$4.49

$1.82 NZ$3

$3.02 NZ$4.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.78 NZ$2.94

$1.43 NZ$2.36

$2.74 NZ$4.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$60.4 NZ$99.6

$33.22 NZ$54.8

$72.5 NZ$120

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.68 NZ$2.77

$1.52 NZ$2.5

$1.8 NZ$2.96

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.1K NZ$46.4K

$20.7K NZ$34.2K

$35.5K NZ$58.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.8K NZ$40.9K

$19.7K NZ$32.5K

$26.9K NZ$44.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$156 NZ$257

$101 NZ$166

$242 NZ$399

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$36.91 NZ$60.9

$17.86 NZ$29.46

$47.63 NZ$78.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.7 NZ$85.3

$42.18 NZ$69.6

$69.3 NZ$114

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.02 NZ$67.7

$36.02 NZ$59.4

$51 NZ$84.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.08 NZ$18.28

$4.43 NZ$7.31

$14.41 NZ$23.77

Cinema Ticket

$11.04 NZ$18.2

$7.98 NZ$13.15

$12.27 NZ$20.23

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$710 NZ$1,171

$213 NZ$351

$2,959 NZ$4,881

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.5K NZ$18.9K

$10.1K NZ$16.7K

$14.9K NZ$24.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.1 NZ$117

$47.56 NZ$78.5

$119 NZ$196

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58 NZ$95.6

$21.35 NZ$35.21

$122 NZ$201

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 NZ$198

$73.2 NZ$121

$153 NZ$252

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 NZ$240

$42.94 NZ$70.8

$215 NZ$354

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,375 NZ$2,267

$967 NZ$1,594

$1,813 NZ$2,990

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,125 NZ$1,855

$859 NZ$1,416

$1,534 NZ$2,529

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,361 NZ$3,894

$1,937 NZ$3,195

$2,663 NZ$4,393

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,670 NZ$2,754

$1,551 NZ$2,557

$1,789 NZ$2,951

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,115 NZ$11.7K

$6,099 NZ$10.1K

$9,148 NZ$15.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,480 NZ$9,038

$4,871 NZ$8,034

$6,089 NZ$10K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,523 NZ$5,810

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.94

5.79

7.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

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Cost of Living in Lower Hutt - Frequently Asked Questions

Lower Hutt offers a balanced price profile for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want easy access to Wellington without the higher urban rents. The Cost of Living in Lower Hutt tends to be more approachable than Wellington's core, especially if you’re open to a bit more space and longer commutes. You’ll find a mix of rental options – from compact flats to family-sized houses – plus affordable grocery and cafe scenes in smaller towns like Petone or Naenae. Work-friendly amenities, parks, and reliable public transit help you manage a budget while staying connected. Tip: plan a weekly routine that minimizes peak-hour travel to save both time and energy.

The daily life in Lower Hutt blends suburb comfort with easy access to Wellington. When housing hunting, you’ll see a range of rentals – from compact studios to family homes – with varying lease lengths. Food options span local markets, casual eateries, and supermarket chains, with seasonal produce available at good value. Transit is practical: regular buses, some rail links to Wellington, and bike-friendly streets. For work or co-working, several flexible spaces exist, and weekend errands can be done in shopping centers like Queensgate or small local stores in Petone. Lower Hutt living cost influences your choices about neighborhood and commute, encouraging a balance between space and proximity. Tip: map out a two-week shopping plan to cap impulse buys and waste.

Quality of life in Lower Hutt favors steady routines and accessible nature. Build a budgeting framework that splits housing, food, transport, and activities, then adjust with seasonality; summers offer outdoor markets and beach days, winters reward efficient heating and insulation. Neighborhood fit matters: Petone’s waterfront vibe, the quieter hills in Naenae, or central Lower Hutt for easy Wellington commutes. Save by leveraging public transport passes, buying in bulk at co-ops, and choosing flexible coworking spaces during busy project periods. Compare experiences with other NZ cities by measuring commute time, access to green spaces, and cafe-hours versus quiet residential blocks. Tip: test a short-term housing option before signing a longer lease to gauge daily life.