Wellington, New Zealand

Cost of Living in Wellington, New Zealand

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Wellington costs approximately $2,265 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,255. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 245 sunny days a year.

Top for Pub SceneTop for Green SpacesLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,265≈ $76/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,255
Internet216 Mbps
Safety82/100
Avg Temp60°F

Wellington Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$14.97
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$71.86
McDonald's Combo Meal$9.64
Cappuccino$3.71
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$7.04
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.04

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.10
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.96
Eggs (12)$7.12
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.88
Apples (1 lb)$1.43
Bananas (1 lb)$1.05
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.51
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.90
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.16
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.78
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$26.80

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2.98
Monthly Transit Pass$108.20
Taxi Start$2.28
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.08
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.66
VW Golf (New)$26,940.12

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$165.49
Mobile Phone Plan$31.79
Broadband Internet$52.22

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$39.37
Cinema Ticket$11.98
Preschool (Monthly)$1,096.07
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$13,187.13

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$73.43
Nike Running Shoes$108.49

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,255.32
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,226.71
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,245.29
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,837.29
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$629.41
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$376.68

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,144.53
Mortgage Interest Rate5.97%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,771.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,037.90

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Wellington

Internet216 Mbps
Safety82/100
Healthcare85/100
Public Transit52/100
Walkability72/100
Nightlife58/100
Food Scene78/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture60/100
Air Quality92/100
Green Spaces82/100
Culture82/100
Beaches42/100
Hiking78/100
Surfing25/100
Coworking Spaces32
US Visa-Free90 days

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.

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 245 sunny days and 125 rainy days per year.

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