Cost of Living in Upper Hutt - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,089 (excluding rent), and $1,910 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,762 (excluding rent), and $4,042 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.60 NZ$30.63

$9.10 NZ$15.83

$30.34 NZ$52.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.4 NZ$147

$60.3 NZ$105

$108 NZ$189

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.51 NZ$16.55

$8.91 NZ$15.50

$13.67 NZ$23.79

Cappuccino

$3.64 NZ$6.33

$3.03 NZ$5.26

$4.24 NZ$7.38

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

$2.40 NZ$4.17

$1.85 NZ$3.21

$3.07 NZ$5.34

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 NZ$3.69

$1.78 NZ$3.10

$2.97 NZ$5.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.09 NZ$12.34

$4.72 NZ$8.22

$8.86 NZ$15.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.46 NZ$11.24

$5.23 NZ$9.11

$9.22 NZ$16.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 NZ$3.05

$0.86 NZ$1.50

$3.08 NZ$5.36

White Bread (500g)

$2.08 NZ$3.62

$0.76 NZ$1.32

$2.74 NZ$4.76

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.87 NZ$3.26

$1.07 NZ$1.86

$2.55 NZ$4.44

Eggs

$6.02 NZ$10.47

$4.96 NZ$8.64

$8.50 NZ$14.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.22 NZ$14.30

$5.52 NZ$9.61

$13.49 NZ$23.48

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.97 NZ$15.62

$5.30 NZ$9.23

$15.90 NZ$27.66

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.39 NZ$21.56

$7.56 NZ$13.16

$15.11 NZ$26.29

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 NZ$4.25

$1.20 NZ$2.08

$3.88 NZ$6.75

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 NZ$3.29

$1.60 NZ$2.79

$3.57 NZ$6.22

Oranges (1kg)

$2.43 NZ$4.23

$1.77 NZ$3.08

$5.29 NZ$9.21

Tomato (1kg)

$3.33 NZ$5.80

$1.48 NZ$2.57

$7.09 NZ$12.34

Potato (1kg)

$2.10 NZ$3.65

$1.24 NZ$2.16

$3.72 NZ$6.47

Onion (1kg)

$1.63 NZ$2.83

$0.91 NZ$1.58

$3.04 NZ$5.30

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.13 NZ$3.70

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$3.38 NZ$5.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 NZ$2.15

$0.58 NZ$1.02

$2.64 NZ$4.60

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.18 NZ$35.11

$17.93 NZ$31.21

$29.89 NZ$52.0

Wine (Bottle)

$10.43 NZ$18.15

$8.11 NZ$14.11

$14.49 NZ$25.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.44 NZ$4.25

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$7.19 NZ$12.52

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 NZ$4.54

$1.48 NZ$2.58

$4.73 NZ$8.23

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.08 NZ$3.61

$1.34 NZ$2.33

$2.37 NZ$4.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.9 NZ$111

$8.12 NZ$14.13

$63.9 NZ$111

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 NZ$4.77

$1.83 NZ$3.18

$3.04 NZ$5.29

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 NZ$3.14

$1.45 NZ$2.52

$2.78 NZ$4.84

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$47.51 NZ$82.7

$32.66 NZ$56.8

$71.3 NZ$124

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.90

$1.51 NZ$2.63

$1.78 NZ$3.09

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

$27.3K NZ$47.5K

$36.4K NZ$63.3K

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

$23.0K NZ$40.0K

$19.7K NZ$34.3K

$29.9K NZ$51.9K

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

$155 NZ$270

$101 NZ$175

$241 NZ$420

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

$33.70 NZ$58.6

$18.38 NZ$31.99

$49.02 NZ$85.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.31 NZ$84.1

$42.41 NZ$73.8

$69.7 NZ$121

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.69 NZ$63.8

$16.83 NZ$29.29

$49.61 NZ$86.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.08 NZ$21.01

$4.83 NZ$8.40

$15.70 NZ$27.32

Cinema Ticket

$9.03 NZ$15.71

$7.83 NZ$13.62

$15.66 NZ$27.25

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

$750 NZ$1,306

$430 NZ$747

$1,067 NZ$1,856

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K NZ$22.0K

$10.2K NZ$17.7K

$14.9K NZ$26.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.1 NZ$124

$44.61 NZ$77.6

$178 NZ$311

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.7 NZ$91.8

$21.04 NZ$36.61

$120 NZ$209

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 NZ$181

$72.6 NZ$126

$151 NZ$263

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$127 NZ$221

$41.84 NZ$72.8

$209 NZ$364

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$976 NZ$1,698

$727 NZ$1,265

$1,332 NZ$2,318

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$786 NZ$1,367

$422 NZ$735

$1,143 NZ$1,988

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,598 NZ$2,780

$1,225 NZ$2,131

$2,005 NZ$3,489

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,406 NZ$2,447

$1,221 NZ$2,124

$1,724 NZ$3,001

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,118 NZ$8,905

$1,396 NZ$2,428

$5,118 NZ$8,905

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,964 NZ$5,157

$1,519 NZ$2,642

$3,796 NZ$6,606

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.69

5.79

7.65

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Upper Hutt Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

351

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

255

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Upper Hutt - Frequently Asked Questions

Upper Hutt offers a quieter alternative to Wellington with easy access to city work, nature, and community amenities. Housing tends to be more spacious and affordable than central Wellington, while dining, groceries, and services stay practical and reliable. The vibe suits long stays and remote work, especially for those who value outdoor recreation and a slower pace without losing proximity to the capital. Cost of Living in Upper Hutt, New Zealand often feels balanced for people who want value along with strong local amenities and a straightforward daily rhythm. Tip: Plan a flexible budget that accounts for your commute to Wellington and local outings.

Daily life in Upper Hutt is straightforward and neighborly. Housing hunts tend to feature attached homes, townhouses, and modest rentals in family-friendly pockets; start with local listings and reliable agents. For groceries, you’ll find well-stocked supermarkets and regular farmers markets. Dining options lean toward cozy cafes and casual eateries. Transport centers on a dependable commuter rail to Wellington, complemented by local buses and bike routes. Co-working spaces and quiet offices mix with scenic spots by the river for focus work. As you size up housing and daily needs, consider the Upper Hutt living cost landscape – it's typically more manageable than inner Wellington. Tip: Test a few day-in-the-life routines – shop, commute, and work from different spots – to see what fits your rhythm.

Quality of life in Upper Hutt shines when you align your budget with how you live: prioritize housing that matches your work style, then allot funds for transport, groceries, and a little leisure. A simple framework – shared housing or long-term rental, a transportation pass, and set meal-prep time – keeps money predictable without cutting comfort. Seasonality tastes like cooler mornings requiring a bit of heating, outdoor gear for weekend hikes, and occasional weekend getaways to nearby hills. Neighborhood fit varies between riverbank and hillside zones, offering different commutes, parks, and cafe clusters. Tip: map a 3-month test plan to sample two or three neighborhoods and adjust as you learn transit times and costs.