Cost of Living in Upper Hutt - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $971 (excluding rent), and $1,881 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,323 (excluding rent), and $4,072 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.77 NZ$31.03

$9.18 NZ$16.04

$30.63 NZ$53.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.1 NZ$147

$60 NZ$105

$108 NZ$189

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.44 NZ$16.49

$8.85 NZ$15.45

$13.57 NZ$23.7

Cappuccino

$3.65 NZ$6.38

$3.04 NZ$5.3

$4.26 NZ$7.43

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

$2.42 NZ$4.22

$1.86 NZ$3.25

$3.1 NZ$5.41

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 NZ$3.68

$1.77 NZ$3.1

$2.95 NZ$5.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.29 NZ$12.73

$4.85 NZ$8.47

$9.1 NZ$15.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.47 NZ$11.3

$5.24 NZ$9.16

$9.24 NZ$16.13

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 NZ$3.06

$0.86 NZ$1.51

$3.09 NZ$5.39

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 NZ$3.57

$0.74 NZ$1.3

$2.69 NZ$4.69

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 NZ$3.3

$1.08 NZ$1.88

$2.57 NZ$4.49

Eggs

$6.2 NZ$10.83

$5.11 NZ$8.92

$8.75 NZ$15.28

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.97 NZ$13.91

$5.35 NZ$9.35

$13.08 NZ$22.84

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.29 NZ$16.22

$5.49 NZ$9.58

$16.45 NZ$28.73

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.46 NZ$21.75

$7.6 NZ$13.27

$15.19 NZ$26.52

Apples (1kg)

$2.43 NZ$4.24

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$3.85 NZ$6.72

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 NZ$3.19

$1.55 NZ$2.71

$3.46 NZ$6.04

Oranges (1kg)

$2.47 NZ$4.31

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$5.37 NZ$9.37

Tomato (1kg)

$3.44 NZ$6.01

$1.53 NZ$2.67

$7.33 NZ$12.79

Potato (1kg)

$2.01 NZ$3.51

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$3.57 NZ$6.24

Onion (1kg)

$1.59 NZ$2.78

$0.89 NZ$1.55

$2.97 NZ$5.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 NZ$3.58

$1.19 NZ$2.07

$3.26 NZ$5.68

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 NZ$2.18

$0.59 NZ$1.03

$2.67 NZ$4.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$20.44 NZ$35.68

$18.17 NZ$31.72

$30.28 NZ$52.9

Wine (Bottle)

$8.56 NZ$14.94

$6.27 NZ$10.95

$14.27 NZ$24.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 NZ$4.38

$1.23 NZ$2.14

$7.4 NZ$12.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.62 NZ$4.58

$1.49 NZ$2.6

$4.75 NZ$8.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.13 NZ$3.72

$1.37 NZ$2.4

$2.43 NZ$4.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$63.9 NZ$112

$8.12 NZ$14.18

$63.9 NZ$112

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.74 NZ$4.79

$1.83 NZ$3.2

$3.05 NZ$5.32

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 NZ$3.23

$1.48 NZ$2.59

$2.85 NZ$4.97

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$48.89 NZ$85.4

$33.61 NZ$58.7

$73.3 NZ$128

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.65 NZ$2.88

$1.49 NZ$2.61

$1.76 NZ$3.07

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

$27K NZ$47.2K

$36K NZ$62.9K

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

$23.4K NZ$40.8K

$20K NZ$35K

$30.4K NZ$53K

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

$161 NZ$280

$104 NZ$182

$250 NZ$436

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

$33.26 NZ$58.1

$18.14 NZ$31.68

$48.38 NZ$84.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.8 NZ$83.5

$41.96 NZ$73.3

$68.9 NZ$120

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.57 NZ$63.9

$16.78 NZ$29.3

$49.46 NZ$86.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.1 NZ$21.13

$4.84 NZ$8.45

$15.74 NZ$27.48

Cinema Ticket

$9.24 NZ$16.14

$8.02 NZ$14

$16.03 NZ$28

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

$740 NZ$1,291

$423 NZ$739

$1,051 NZ$1,836

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.7K NZ$22.1K

$10.2K NZ$17.8K

$15K NZ$26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.7 NZ$123

$44.36 NZ$77.5

$177 NZ$310

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.6 NZ$93.5

$21.37 NZ$37.32

$122 NZ$213

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 NZ$184

$73.4 NZ$128

$153 NZ$267

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 NZ$220

$41.48 NZ$72.4

$207 NZ$362

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$987 NZ$1,724

$735 NZ$1,283

$1,348 NZ$2,353

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$794 NZ$1,386

$426 NZ$745

$1,154 NZ$2,015

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 NZ$2,756

$1,210 NZ$2,112

$1,981 NZ$3,459

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,419 NZ$2,478

$1,232 NZ$2,152

$1,741 NZ$3,040

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,783 NZ$6,606

$2,079 NZ$3,630

$3,898 NZ$6,806

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,268 NZ$5,706

$2,214 NZ$3,866

$5,131 NZ$8,959

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: December 1, 2025

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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.