Wellington is generally more affordable than Auckland but slightly more expensive than Christchurch. Here's a breakdown of typical weekly and monthly costs.

Housing (Weekly Rent)

City centre apartment: one-bedroom: $450 — $600
City centre apartment: two-bedroom: $600 — $850
Inner suburb: two-bedroom house/unit: $550 — $750
Family home (3+ bedrooms): Karori/Johnsonville: $600 — $800
Room in a flat share: $200 — $350

Groceries (Weekly)

For one person, expect to spend NZ$80 — $120 per week. A couple might spend $150 — $200. The main supermarket chains are Countdown, New World, and Pak'nSave (Pak'nSave in Kilbirnie and Porirua is the cheapest option).

Milk (1 litre): $2.80 — $3.50
Loaf of bread: $3.00 — $5.00
Eggs (12): $6.50 — $9.00
Chicken breast (1kg): $13 — $18
Bananas (1kg): $3.00 — $4.00
Cheese (500g block): $7.00 — $10.00

Transport

Bus single trip (Snapper): $1.20 — $4.50
Bus monthly pass (one zone): $140 — $180
Petrol (per litre): $2.60 — $3.00
Cable car single trip: $3.50 — $5.00
Uber across city: $15 — $30

Utilities (Monthly)

Electricity and gas: $120 — $200 (higher in winter due to heating)
Internet (fibre broadband): $75 — $100
Mobile phone plan: $30 — $60
Water: usually included in rent or $5 — $10 per week

Eating Out and Entertainment

Coffee (flat white): $5.00 — $6.50
Lunch at a cafe: $18 — $25
Dinner for two at mid-range restaurant: $80 — $130
Pint of beer in a pub: $10 — $14
Glass of wine: $12 — $18
Movie ticket: $18 — $22
Gym membership: $40 — $70 per week

Average Salaries

National median income: around $70,000 per year
Early career professional: $55,000 — $70,000
Senior professional/manager: $95,000 — $130,000
Minimum wage: $23.15 per hour (as of 2026)

Sample Monthly Budget (Single Professional)

Rent (one-bedroom central): $2,200
Groceries: $440
Transport: $180
Utilities + internet: $200
Eating out/entertainment: $400
Phone: $50
Other (clothing, health, etc): $300
Total: approx $3,770 per month

Tax, ACC and KiwiSaver: What Your Salary Really Delivers

Wellington salaries are quoted gross, and three deductions come out automatically through PAYE. Income tax under IRD's 2025-26 brackets: 10.5% up to $15,600, 17.5% from $15,601–$53,500, 30% from $53,501–$78,100, 33% from $78,101–$180,000 and 39% above $180,000 — each rate applies only to its slice of income. The ACC earner levy adds 1.67% of earnings up to $152,790 in 2025/26 (rising to 1.75% from 1 April 2026). KiwiSaver takes a minimum 3% of gross (rising to 3.5% from 1 April 2026), matched by at least 3% from your employer, with a government contribution of $260.72 a year if you contribute at least $1,042.86.

Worked example: the site's sample single professional earning $75,000 pays about $14,730 in tax and $1,253 in ACC, leaving roughly $58,000 before KiwiSaver — around $1,120 a week. A senior professional on $110,000 pays about $26,340 in tax and $1,837 in ACC, leaving about $81,800 before KiwiSaver. The exact figures depend on your KiwiSaver rate and any student loan (12% above $24,128).

House Prices and Rents in 2026: The Latest Data

REINZ recorded Wellington City's median house price at about $865,000 in March 2026, down from $900,000 in February, with the wider region at $780,000 (down 2.5% year-on-year) — a market that has softened, giving buyers more negotiating room than Auckland or Christchurch. On the rental side, Tenancy Services bond data puts the median weekly rent around $600–$620, and Trade Me's April 2026 index recorded Wellington at $600 after a year of modest declines.

How it fits together: the price-to-rent ratio in Wellington is among New Zealand's most forgiving — a $600,000–$700,000 mortgage at 2026 fixed rates (roughly 5.5–6% for one-to-two-year terms) costs about the same weekly as renting the equivalent home, which is why first-home buyers are active here. The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan (5% deposit; income caps $95,000 single / $150,000 for two or more buyers) remains the main deposit bridge after the First Home Grant closed in May 2024.

Action Plan: Make Your Budget Work in Wellington

Housing first — it is 45%+ of most budgets. Consider Johnsonville, Tawa or the Hutt Valley for a 20–30% saving over the inner suburbs, with a train commute of 15–25 minutes.
Heat smart — Wellington winters are cool and power is the seasonal shock; insulate curtains, use a heat pump on a timer, and compare plans on Powerswitch.
Use the Snapper card — bus fares are cheaper than cash, and monthly passes cap your spend.
Eat the lunch menu — Cuba Street and the waterfront lunch specials are 30–40% below dinner prices at the same restaurants.
Enjoy the free city — Te Papa, the Botanic Garden, the waterfront, Zealandia's daytime entry price and the beaches at Oriental Bay and Island Bay keep weekends affordable.
Check entitlements — Working for Families, the Accommodation Supplement and 20 Hours ECE reduce outgoings for eligible households.