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Cost of living
in Wellington.

Living in Wellington, New Zealand costs about $2,500/month all-in for one person, and roughly $5,750/month for a family of four. That is cheaper than 16% of the 310 cities we track, and about 36% below New York.

Last updated August 2026 · How we calculate this

Single person, all-in $2,500/mo
Rent (studio)$1,125
Food & groceries$550
Utilities & internet$250
Transport$200
Fun & everything else$375
Family of four$5,750/mo
How it ranks

Cheaper than 16% of the 310 cities we track.

About 36% cheaper than New York.

Population 382k
Moving to New Zealand? Full guide → Your take-home pay here → Salary you'd need here → Can I afford it? → What the move itself costs →

Figures are average all-in monthly costs for one person, in USD — estimates for guidance, not a personal budget. The breakdown is a typical split of the total. Convert to your currency →

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Living in Wellington — FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Wellington?

A single person needs roughly $2,500/month all-in in Wellington, New Zealand — rent, food, transport and utilities. A family of four runs closer to $5,750/month.

Is Wellington expensive?

Wellington is cheaper than 16% of the 310 cities we track, and about 36% cheaper than New York.

Similar cost of living

See the whole world by cost →

🇫🇷 Nice $2,500🇳🇱 Rotterdam $2,500🇬🇧 Bristol $2,500🇩🇪 Frankfurt $2,500🇮🇹 Milan $2,500🇺🇸 Nashville $2,500🇺🇸 Philadelphia $2,500🇦🇺 Canberra $2,500

More cities in this country

🇳🇿 Christchurch $2,300🇳🇿 Queenstown $2,500🇳🇿 Auckland $2,600