Cost of Living in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington is a city in New Zealand, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,265 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,255 per month, or $1,227 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 216 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Wellington scores 82/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 68°F and winter highs around 52°F, with roughly 195 sunny days a year.
Wellington Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Wellington
How Wellington Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Wellington ranks in the top 9% for air quality, but costs more than 76% of them.
| Metric | Wellington | World rank | Rank in Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,265 | #259 of 340 | #9 of 12 |
| Safety | 82/100 | #35 of 340 | #3 of 12 |
| Healthcare | 85/100 | #64 of 340 | #2 of 12 |
| Internet speed | 216 Mbps | #131 of 340 | #1 of 12 |
| Walkability | 72/100 | #76 of 340 | #1 of 12 |
| Public transit | 52/100 | #124 of 340 | #5 of 12 |
| Food scene | 78/100 | #121 of 340 | #4 of 12 |
| Air quality | 92/100 | #28 of 340 | #4 of 12 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Wellington
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Wellington.
- Adelaide, Australia — $1,849/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 82/100 · Compare with Wellington
- Gdansk, Poland — $1,657/mo, 27% cheaper, safety 78/100
Wellington FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Wellington?
A single person should budget around $2,265 per month in Wellington, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,772 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Wellington?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Wellington averages $1,255 per month, dropping to about $1,227 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,245.
Is Wellington safe?
Wellington scores 82/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.
How fast is the internet in Wellington?
Median download speeds in Wellington are around 216 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 32 coworking spaces in the city.
Does New Zealand offer a digital nomad visa?
New Zealand does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Wellington?
Wellington sees summer highs around 68°F and winter highs near 52°F, with about 195 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 107 days.
Wellington in our travel guides
Visa Requirements for New Zealand
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for New Zealand and how to apply.
Explore More
See Wellington on the interactive map →