🇳🇿 New Zealand · #194 of 546 cities · 2026

Cost of Living in Wellington

2.7% above the New Zealand average

Ranked #194 of 546 cities · More expensive than 64.5% of cities worldwide

Compared to New Zealand average

Rent Prices

Rent Prices in Wellington

Apartment City Centre Outside Centre You Save
1-Bedroom NZD 2,096/mo ≈ $1,197 NZD 2,049/mo ≈ $1,170 2%
3-Bedroom NZD 3,750/mo ≈ $2,142 NZD 3,068/mo ≈ $1,753 2%
Numbeo · 2026-03-12

Cost Indices

Cost of Living
+2.7% Average
Rent
+1.7% Average
Groceries
+3.8% Average
Restaurants
+0.3% Average
Purchasing Power
-7.5% Average

Living in Wellington: What to Expect

Wellington is average by global standards (ranked #194 of 546 cities). It is 2.7% more expensive than the New Zealand average, based on 3 cities.

Groceries are average, while dining out is average. Restaurants offers the best value, while Groceries is the priciest.

Local purchasing power is limited — residents can afford fewer goods and services than in most cities.

Workers in New Zealand earning NZD 100,204 gross take home NZD 6,000/month after tax (28.1% effective rate). See full New Zealand tax calculator →

Similar Cities

How Does Wellington Compare?

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