Cost of Living in Wellington - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,076 (excluding rent), and $2,333 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,729 (excluding rent), and $4,680 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.41 NZ$30.39

$10.8 NZ$18.85

$30.01 NZ$52.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$86 NZ$150

$61.4 NZ$107

$111 NZ$193

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.4 NZ$16.42

$8.81 NZ$15.38

$13.51 NZ$23.6

Cappuccino

$3.62 NZ$6.32

$2.95 NZ$5.16

$4.43 NZ$7.74

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

$2.49 NZ$4.35

$2.36 NZ$4.13

$2.95 NZ$5.15

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.2 NZ$3.85

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$3.09 NZ$5.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.29 NZ$12.73

$4.85 NZ$8.48

$9.1 NZ$15.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.38 NZ$12.89

$6.15 NZ$10.73

$9.22 NZ$16.09

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 NZ$3.31

$1.24 NZ$2.16

$3.08 NZ$5.38

White Bread (500g)

$2.08 NZ$3.63

$1.45 NZ$2.54

$3.04 NZ$5.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 NZ$3.3

$1.19 NZ$2.08

$2.49 NZ$4.35

Eggs

$7.2 NZ$12.57

$5.18 NZ$9.04

$8.86 NZ$15.48

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.87 NZ$13.75

$5.29 NZ$9.24

$14.69 NZ$25.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.89 NZ$19.01

$7.11 NZ$12.41

$15.98 NZ$27.91

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.97 NZ$22.64

$8.99 NZ$15.7

$14.99 NZ$26.17

Apples (1kg)

$3.16 NZ$5.52

$1.23 NZ$2.16

$4 NZ$6.99

Banana (1kg)

$2.22 NZ$3.88

$1.99 NZ$3.48

$3.4 NZ$5.94

Oranges (1kg)

$3 NZ$5.23

$2.07 NZ$3.62

$4.73 NZ$8.27

Tomato (1kg)

$4.71 NZ$8.23

$1.72 NZ$3

$7.15 NZ$12.49

Potato (1kg)

$2.1 NZ$3.66

$1.24 NZ$2.17

$2.48 NZ$4.33

Onion (1kg)

$1.59 NZ$2.78

$0.89 NZ$1.56

$2.98 NZ$5.2

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.26 NZ$3.94

$1.82 NZ$3.18

$3.05 NZ$5.32

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)

$26.91 NZ$46.99

$23.24 NZ$40.58

$30.58 NZ$53.4

Wine (Bottle)

$10.25 NZ$17.89

$7.97 NZ$13.92

$14.24 NZ$24.86

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.55 NZ$6.21

$1.58 NZ$2.75

$7.13 NZ$12.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 NZ$5.69

$1.84 NZ$3.21

$4.89 NZ$8.55

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 NZ$4.69

$1.79 NZ$3.13

$4.18 NZ$7.3

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$108 NZ$189

$91.4 NZ$160

$183 NZ$319

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.78 NZ$4.85

$1.86 NZ$3.24

$3.09 NZ$5.39

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 NZ$3.22

$1.48 NZ$2.58

$2.83 NZ$4.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$59.3 NZ$104

$32.63 NZ$57

$71.2 NZ$124

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.71 NZ$2.98

$1.54 NZ$2.7

$1.83 NZ$3.19

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

$33.3K NZ$58.1K

$27.2K NZ$47.5K

$36.3K NZ$63.4K

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

$25.5K NZ$44.5K

$20.3K NZ$35.4K

$30.7K NZ$53.6K

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

$160 NZ$279

$104 NZ$181

$249 NZ$434

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

$32.91 NZ$57.5

$17.95 NZ$31.35

$49.08 NZ$85.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.1 NZ$89.3

$41.71 NZ$72.8

$68.5 NZ$120

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.08 NZ$63

$12.03 NZ$21

$72.2 NZ$126

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.27 NZ$35.4

$11.93 NZ$20.83

$39.95 NZ$69.8

Cinema Ticket

$12.17 NZ$21.25

$9.74 NZ$17.01

$15.83 NZ$27.63

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

$798 NZ$1,394

$216 NZ$377

$2,997 NZ$5,233

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.6K NZ$22.1K

$10.2K NZ$17.7K

$14.9K NZ$26.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.3 NZ$126

$48.36 NZ$84.4

$109 NZ$190

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 NZ$91.7

$29.95 NZ$52.3

$89.9 NZ$157

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 NZ$208

$72.7 NZ$127

$151 NZ$264

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$141 NZ$246

$89.3 NZ$156

$208 NZ$364

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,342 NZ$2,342

$1,044 NZ$1,824

$1,784 NZ$3,114

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,068 NZ$1,865

$887 NZ$1,549

$1,360 NZ$2,375

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,095 NZ$3,658

$1,776 NZ$3,102

$2,605 NZ$4,549

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,932 NZ$3,373

$1,755 NZ$3,064

$2,420 NZ$4,226

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,909 NZ$12.1K

$5,226 NZ$9,125

$11.6K NZ$20.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,723 NZ$8,247

$3,320 NZ$5,798

$7,540 NZ$13.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,108 NZ$5,427

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.94

6.5

7.65

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Wellington - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with many global cities, Wellington offers a balanced affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Housing can be pricier in central pockets, but sensible search in outer neighborhoods often yields solid value without sacrificing transit access. Food and groceries sit at a comfortable mid-range, with markets and casual eateries offering strong options for different budgets. Seasonal events, festivals, and the city's compact layout keep daily costs manageable if you plan ahead. Cost of Living in Wellington, New Zealand reflects a trade-off between housing proximity, lifestyle quality, and access to outdoor recreation. Tip: Map your priorities and test a few neighborhoods during a long weekend before committing.

Your housing search typically starts with neighborhoods that match your routine: Te Aro or the waterfront for convenience, Kilbirnie for space, or Newtown for vibe and transit links. Food options range from budget-friendly bakeries to farmers markets and mid-to-upmarket groceries. Public transport is reliable, with buses and the historic cable car option, while cycling along the harbour is pleasant in good weather. For errands, the compact city center makes most things walkable, and a reusable travel card helps keep transit costs predictable. Wellington, New Zealand living cost shifts with seasonality and location, so your long-term plan should include flexibility for housing and travel swaps. Tip: test a few routes in a week to see what fits.

Budgeting for Wellington works best with a simple framework: fixed essentials, flexible discretionary spend, and a small buffer for surprises. Track housing, groceries, transport, and occasional activities in a monthly plan, then compare your actuals weekly. The city's outdoor-minded rhythm means energy use can swing with the seasons, so plan for heating in cooler months and lighter outings when the weather cooperates. For neighborhood fit, ask about access to parks, coffee culture, and safety after dark, plus proximity to coworking spaces and transit. Tip: experiment with one or two spend categories to see what changes your daily routines most.