Cost of Living in Wellington - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,076 (excluding rent), and $2,341 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,646 (excluding rent), and $4,824 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.83 NZ$30.31

$11.06 NZ$18.80

$30.74 NZ$52.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.2 NZ$143

$60.1 NZ$102

$108 NZ$184

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.46 NZ$16.09

$8.86 NZ$15.07

$13.60 NZ$23.12

Cappuccino

$3.65 NZ$6.21

$2.98 NZ$5.06

$4.47 NZ$7.60

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

$2.57 NZ$4.38

$2.44 NZ$4.15

$3.05 NZ$5.18

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 NZ$3.73

$1.85 NZ$3.14

$3.07 NZ$5.23

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 NZ$12.24

$4.80 NZ$8.15

$8.99 NZ$15.29

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.44 NZ$12.65

$6.20 NZ$10.54

$9.29 NZ$15.79

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 NZ$3.10

$1.19 NZ$2.03

$2.96 NZ$5.04

White Bread (500g)

$2.04 NZ$3.47

$1.43 NZ$2.43

$2.99 NZ$5.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.97 NZ$3.35

$1.24 NZ$2.11

$2.59 NZ$4.41

Eggs

$7.24 NZ$12.31

$5.21 NZ$8.85

$8.92 NZ$15.16

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.16 NZ$13.88

$5.49 NZ$9.33

$15.23 NZ$25.89

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.90 NZ$18.54

$7.12 NZ$12.10

$16.01 NZ$27.21

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.19 NZ$22.42

$9.14 NZ$15.54

$15.24 NZ$25.90

Apples (1kg)

$3.06 NZ$5.21

$1.20 NZ$2.03

$3.87 NZ$6.59

Banana (1kg)

$2.36 NZ$4.01

$2.11 NZ$3.59

$3.60 NZ$6.12

Oranges (1kg)

$2.98 NZ$5.07

$2.06 NZ$3.51

$4.71 NZ$8.01

Tomato (1kg)

$4.83 NZ$8.21

$1.76 NZ$3.00

$7.33 NZ$12.47

Potato (1kg)

$2.02 NZ$3.44

$1.20 NZ$2.04

$2.39 NZ$4.06

Onion (1kg)

$1.58 NZ$2.68

$0.88 NZ$1.50

$2.95 NZ$5.01

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 NZ$3.90

$1.85 NZ$3.15

$3.10 NZ$5.27

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 NZ$2.20

$0.61 NZ$1.04

$2.76 NZ$4.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$26.71 NZ$45.41

$23.07 NZ$39.22

$30.36 NZ$51.6

Wine (Bottle)

$10.89 NZ$18.52

$9.08 NZ$15.43

$15.13 NZ$25.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.51 NZ$5.97

$1.56 NZ$2.64

$7.04 NZ$11.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 NZ$5.54

$1.84 NZ$3.12

$4.89 NZ$8.32

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.67 NZ$4.54

$1.79 NZ$3.04

$4.16 NZ$7.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 NZ$182

$90.5 NZ$154

$181 NZ$308

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.77 NZ$4.70

$1.85 NZ$3.14

$3.07 NZ$5.22

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.79 NZ$3.05

$1.44 NZ$2.45

$2.76 NZ$4.69

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$60.9 NZ$103

$33.47 NZ$56.9

$73.0 NZ$124

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.67 NZ$2.85

$1.52 NZ$2.58

$1.79 NZ$3.05

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

$33.0K NZ$56.2K

$27.0K NZ$46.0K

$36.0K NZ$61.3K

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

$24.9K NZ$42.3K

$19.8K NZ$33.6K

$30.0K NZ$50.9K

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

$155 NZ$264

$101 NZ$171

$241 NZ$410

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

$33.64 NZ$57.2

$18.35 NZ$31.20

$50.2 NZ$85.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.1 NZ$86.8

$41.65 NZ$70.8

$68.4 NZ$116

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.54 NZ$62.1

$12.18 NZ$20.70

$73.1 NZ$124

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.82 NZ$35.39

$12.25 NZ$20.82

$41.03 NZ$69.7

Cinema Ticket

$12.26 NZ$20.84

$9.81 NZ$16.67

$15.94 NZ$27.09

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

$818 NZ$1,390

$221 NZ$376

$3,070 NZ$5,218

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K NZ$21.8K

$10.3K NZ$17.5K

$15.2K NZ$25.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.9 NZ$121

$47.45 NZ$80.7

$107 NZ$181

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.2 NZ$90.5

$30.35 NZ$51.6

$91.1 NZ$155

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$120 NZ$204

$73.0 NZ$124

$152 NZ$259

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 NZ$247

$92.1 NZ$156

$215 NZ$365

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,297 NZ$2,205

$1,010 NZ$1,717

$1,725 NZ$2,932

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,094 NZ$1,860

$909 NZ$1,545

$1,393 NZ$2,369

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,127 NZ$3,616

$1,804 NZ$3,066

$2,645 NZ$4,497

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,916 NZ$3,257

$1,740 NZ$2,958

$2,400 NZ$4,080

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,806 NZ$11.6K

$5,323 NZ$9,049

$8,458 NZ$14.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,067 NZ$6,914

$3,429 NZ$5,829

$7,786 NZ$13.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,107 NZ$5,282

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: March 2, 2026

Wellington Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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

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.