Cost of Living in Lower Hutt - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,159 (excluding rent), and $2,278 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,682 (excluding rent), and $4,433 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.14 NZ$29.94

$10.64 NZ$18.57

$29.55 NZ$51.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.6 NZ$150

$36.69 NZ$64.1

$110 NZ$192

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.65 NZ$18.59

$8.94 NZ$15.62

$13.72 NZ$23.96

Cappuccino

$3.54 NZ$6.19

$2.95 NZ$5.15

$4.13 NZ$7.21

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

$2.37 NZ$4.14

$1.22 NZ$2.13

$3.04 NZ$5.31

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 NZ$3.78

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$2.95 NZ$5.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.23 NZ$12.62

$3.01 NZ$5.25

$9.03 NZ$15.76

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.35 NZ$11.09

$5.15 NZ$8.99

$9.07 NZ$15.84

Milk (1 liter)

$1.87 NZ$3.27

$0.85 NZ$1.48

$2.89 NZ$5.05

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 NZ$3.56

$0.74 NZ$1.29

$2.68 NZ$4.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.94 NZ$3.39

$1.08 NZ$1.88

$2.45 NZ$4.27

Eggs

$7.17 NZ$12.52

$5.15 NZ$9

$8.82 NZ$15.41

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.01 NZ$13.98

$5.3 NZ$9.26

$12.96 NZ$22.62

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.95 NZ$15.62

$4.69 NZ$8.19

$11.74 NZ$20.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.27 NZ$23.17

$7.67 NZ$13.4

$15.33 NZ$26.77

Apples (1kg)

$2.52 NZ$4.41

$0.86 NZ$1.5

$3.69 NZ$6.44

Banana (1kg)

$2.07 NZ$3.62

$1.54 NZ$2.7

$2.37 NZ$4.14

Oranges (1kg)

$2.65 NZ$4.62

$1.53 NZ$2.67

$4.89 NZ$8.53

Tomato (1kg)

$4.68 NZ$8.17

$1.48 NZ$2.58

$7.1 NZ$12.39

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 NZ$3.5

$0.88 NZ$1.54

$2.96 NZ$5.17

Onion (1kg)

$1.73 NZ$3.03

$0.89 NZ$1.55

$2.96 NZ$5.17

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 NZ$3.94

$1.22 NZ$2.14

$3.36 NZ$5.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 NZ$2.2

$0.42 NZ$0.73

$2.39 NZ$4.17

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$22.64 NZ$39.53

$18.4 NZ$32.14

$25.77 NZ$45

Wine (Bottle)

$9.66 NZ$16.88

$6.43 NZ$11.23

$11.71 NZ$20.45

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.53 NZ$6.16

$1.18 NZ$2.06

$7.07 NZ$12.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 NZ$5.67

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$4.87 NZ$8.51

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.65 NZ$4.63

$2.36 NZ$4.12

$2.95 NZ$5.15

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.3 NZ$114

$8.29 NZ$14.48

$65.3 NZ$114

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.7 NZ$4.71

$1.8 NZ$3.15

$3 NZ$5.23

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 NZ$3.22

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$2.84 NZ$4.96

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$59.9 NZ$105

$32.94 NZ$57.5

$71.9 NZ$126

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.72 NZ$3

$1.55 NZ$2.71

$1.84 NZ$3.21

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

$28.8K NZ$50.3K

$21.2K NZ$37K

$36.4K NZ$63.5K

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

$24.9K NZ$43.4K

$19.7K NZ$34.5K

$26.9K NZ$47K

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

$157 NZ$274

$102 NZ$177

$244 NZ$426

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

$37.77 NZ$66

$18.27 NZ$31.91

$48.73 NZ$85.1

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$50.8 NZ$88.7

$41.43 NZ$72.3

$68.1 NZ$119

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.08 NZ$71.7

$36.07 NZ$63

$51.1 NZ$89.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.11 NZ$21.14

$4.84 NZ$8.45

$15.74 NZ$27.49

Cinema Ticket

$10.74 NZ$18.76

$7.76 NZ$13.56

$11.94 NZ$20.85

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

$746 NZ$1,302

$423 NZ$738

$1,050 NZ$1,833

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.7K NZ$20.4K

$10.3K NZ$17.9K

$15.1K NZ$26.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.8 NZ$127

$48.71 NZ$85.1

$122 NZ$213

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.9 NZ$99.4

$20.97 NZ$36.61

$120 NZ$209

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$117 NZ$204

$71.2 NZ$124

$148 NZ$259

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 NZ$251

$42.45 NZ$74.1

$212 NZ$371

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,389 NZ$2,425

$977 NZ$1,705

$1,831 NZ$3,197

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,116 NZ$1,948

$852 NZ$1,488

$1,522 NZ$2,657

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,383 NZ$4,161

$1,955 NZ$3,414

$2,689 NZ$4,695

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,675 NZ$2,925

$1,556 NZ$2,716

$1,795 NZ$3,134

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,668 NZ$11.6K

$5,716 NZ$9,980

$8,573 NZ$15K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,110 NZ$8,922

$4,542 NZ$7,930

$5,677 NZ$9,913

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,360 NZ$5,866

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.

Last update: December 1, 2025

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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.