How expensive is Wellington compared to the rest of New Zealand?

Wellington ranks #176 out of 577 cities globally. It is 2.1% more expensive than the New Zealand average, based on 3 cities. The rent index is 28.6 and local purchasing power is 113.1.

What is the average rent in Wellington?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Wellington city centre costs approximately NZD 2,165 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to NZD 2,033 (saving 6%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around NZD 3,815.

Is Wellington affordable to live in?

Wellington is expensive by global standards. Groceries are average, restaurants are average, and local purchasing power is average. Workers in New Zealand earning NZD 99,319 gross take home approximately NZD 5,954 per month after tax.

🇳🇿 New Zealand · 2026

Costo della Vita a Wellington

2.1% sopra la media di New Zealand

Classificata #176 su 577 città · Più costosa del 69.5% delle città a livello mondiale

+2.1%

Costo della Vita

+4.4%

Affitto

+3.7%

Generi Alimentari

-3.7%

Potere d'Acquisto

Rispetto alla media di New Zealand · Vedi classifica New Zealand →

Prezzi degli Affitti a Wellington

Appartamento	Centro Città	Fuori Centro	Risparmi
1 Camera	NZD 2,165/mo ≈ $1,225	NZD 2,033/mo ≈ $1,151	6%
3 Camere	NZD 3,815/mo ≈ $2,159	NZD 3,007/mo ≈ $1,702	21%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Wellington

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	NZD 5.07	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	NZD 6.43	2 sources
Bread (500g)	NZD 3.48	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	NZD 20.07	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	NZD 16.48	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	NZD 42.50	2 sources
Eggs (12)	NZD 11.51	2 sources
Milk (1L)	NZD 3.13	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	NZD 3.74	2 sources
Tomatoes (1kg)	NZD 8.89	2 sources
Water (1.5L)	NZD 2.07	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	NZD 17.50	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

NZD 5.07

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

NZD 6.43

Bread (500g)

NZD 3.48

Local cheese (1kg)

NZD 20.07

Chicken (1kg)

NZD 16.48

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

NZD 42.50

Eggs (12)

NZD 11.51

Milk (1L)

NZD 3.13

Potatoes (1kg)

NZD 3.74

Tomatoes (1kg)

NZD 8.89

Water (1.5L)

NZD 2.07

Wine (mid-range)

NZD 17.50

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	NZD 12.38	2 sources
Cappuccino	NZD 5.92	2 sources
McMeal	NZD 16.55	2 sources
Cheap meal	NZD 24.00	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	NZD 117.00	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

NZD 12.38

Cappuccino

NZD 5.92

McMeal

NZD 16.55

Cheap meal

NZD 24.00

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

NZD 117.00

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	NZD 226.85	2 sources
Jeans (Levi's 501)	NZD 129.81	2 sources
Sport shoes (Nike)	NZD 188.00	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	NZD 73.57	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

NZD 226.85

Jeans (Levi's 501)

NZD 129.81

Sport shoes (Nike)

NZD 188.00

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

NZD 73.57

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	NZD 19.50	2 sources
Gym membership	NZD 64.38	2 sources

Cinema ticket

NZD 19.50

Gym membership

NZD 64.38

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	NZD 2.79	2 sources
Taxi start	NZD 3.80	1 source
Monthly pass	NZD 190.85	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

NZD 2.79

Taxi start

NZD 3.80

Monthly pass

NZD 190.85

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	NZD 258.30	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

NZD 258.30

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

Wellington has a cost of living index of 47.8 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. Expatistan is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

47.8

Index

Sources

0.2

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

47.9

Expatistan

55.0

left out

LivingCost

47.7

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities | Data collected: Numbeo ottobre 2026 · LivingCost ottobre 2026

Indici di Costo

Costo della Vita

+2.1% Average

Affitto

+4.4% Average

Generi Alimentari

+3.7% Average

Ristoranti

-0.7% Average

Potere d'Acquisto

-3.7% Average

Vivere a Wellington: Cosa Aspettarsi

Wellington è expensive secondo gli standard globali (classificata #176 su 577 città). È 2.1% più costoso rispetto alla media di New Zealand, basato su 3 città.

La spesa alimentare è average, mentre mangiare fuori è average. Restaurants offre il miglior rapporto qualità-prezzo, mentre Rent è il più costoso.

I lavoratori in New Zealand con NZD 99,319 lordi ricevono NZD 5,954/mese netto dopo le tasse (aliquota effettiva: 28.1%%). Vedi il calcolatore fiscale completo di New Zealand →