With inflation exacerbating the already-high cost of living in New Zealand, let’s do a budget breakdown to see how expensive it is to live in Wellington in 2022. Note these figures account for one person.
I have been living in Wellington, New Zealand for over four years now and have watched the cost of living slowly rise over time. I had much to complain about in 2018… but that’s pennies compared to the cost of living now, thanks to the pandemic and global inflation.
Now, this isn’t to dishearten you from moving to Wellington (or New Zealand). It’s simply a preparation exercise. Because life in Wellington is absolutely fantastic. I can confidently say I’m happier living here than anywhere else I’ve lived before.
And that’s important to remember. If we’re in inflation, you might as well be living somewhere worth paying for.
With the right attitude, and strict adherence to your budget, I’m confident you can make a life work in Wellington like the rest of us.
So is it expensive to live in Wellington, New Zealand? Well… yes. But it depends how you look at it. Below is a breakdown of the cost of living in Wellington, New Zealand as of 2022 (for one person) so that you can budget according to your needs.
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Cost of living in Wellington, New Zealand for one person as of 2022
Rent costs in Wellington, New Zealand
Depending on which suburb you choose, rent in Wellington can range from $200/week (if you choose to flatshare) to $500+/week (if you’d like your own place). Rent tends to increase the closer you get to the CBD.
If you have the luxury of time, do some digging around TradeMe for rentals. The market is competitive so sort the listings by “Newest”, grab the earliest viewing time, and get an application in soon after the viewing. Like, literally within an hour.
The hustle to find accommodation is something Wellingtonians have accepted, albeit sourly. Surrounded by water on all sides, Wellington can’t geographically grow, so properties are in high demand.
If you’re looking to flatshare, have a look on Roomies NZ or NZ Flatmates. These forums tend to be less formal, just cool Kiwis looking for flatmates to join the whānau. It’s a great way to make friends fast, and cheaper for your pocket.
Food costs
Next to rent, most of the cost of living in Wellington goes toward food. Not because we love our avocado toast. Not because we enjoy a bite in town every now and then (Wellington’s culinary scene is popping).
Food in New Zealand is costly, and Wellington is no different. The price of produce is always rising, and cheese is becoming a luxury good. New Zealand suffers from a supermarket duopoly… meaning two supermarket giants dominate our food, making competition low.
Although we’ve been trying to fix this, corporations aren’t exactly lining up to relinquish their power. Progress is slow, and food costs remain high.
This is especially true if you value clean eating. The cost of organic, high-quality products is astronomical. Our grocery bill (for two people) comes to about $250/week and that doesn’t get us very far. I do live with a big boy that needs lots of sustenance, so your grocery bill may be smaller. But I would come prepared so you’re not shocked when you arrive.
Power + internet costs
I actually find power and internet costs reasonable in New Zealand. And it depends on the living situation.
Power costs tend to double (or triple) from May to September. Wellington gets cold in winter. Looking at properties, be sure to check for proper insulation so you aren’t blasting the heater all winter. That won’t be kind to your budget.
Power costs for a flat could be averaged around $150/month. And internet can cost up to $80/month (if you like your wifi fast). Split that between flatmates and it’s not horrendous.
Car costs/public transport
Coming from the States, I was shocked how expensive it was to own a car in New Zealand.
Outside of paying for the car itself, New Zealand has strict road rules that require continuous vehicle licensing (called “rego”) and an up-to-date warrant of fitness (WoF). These are required to keep your car on the road, and expire all too quickly.
To add salt to the wound, a WoF might reveal some obscure thing wrong with your car and they won’t grant you the warrant unless you have it fixed. Which always costs.
And of course there’s petrol. With inflation and current state of the world, petrol in New Zealand is exorbitantly expensive. And sure, the Government has cut a percentage of fuel costs to address the rising cost of living, but it was never cheap to begin with.
The good news is, New Zealand has awesome public transport. And as part of a cost of living relief package, the Government has halved public transport fees.
Living in Wellington, I can walk pretty much anywhere. But a train ride across town will cost about $2.50 (or $5 without the Government initiative).
If you don’t mind walking or taking a bus, you don’t really need a car in Wellington. The city can be walked from end-to-end in 30 minutes. If you live in the suburbs, public transport is clean and reliable. I highly recommend getting a Snapper card for even cheaper rates.
I reckon a car is only needed if you enjoy traversing the length of the country, as we do.
Misc/entertainment per the Wellington lifestyle
As mentioned above, Wellington has a thriving culinary scene. The little city teems with cafes, small dining establishments, breweries and cinemas, and pop-ups full of curious wares.
I’m not so concerned with my accounts that I don’t indulge in miscellaneous activities every now and then. The Wellington lifestyle is a good time.
And everyone should have a “feel good” budget. This is the money dedicated to nourish your soul. Could be a nice dinner out, some candles, or any knickknack that finds you at those pop-ups.
In Wellington, you’ll need a “feel good” budget of at least $30/week. Wares aren’t cheap but $30 will get you a decent feed or a couple drinks at a cocktail bar.
It’s good to have some cash on hand because pop-up shops are always… well popping up around Wellington. These are great to support local businesses, and usually cost less than the wares stocked in gift shops. And usually far more interesting too.
Conclusion: is it expensive to live in Wellington in 2022?
The answer is yes. Wellington is a rather expensive place to live, and in 2022 the cost of living is rising all across New Zealand. By the time you’re reading this, I hope we’re no longer in inflation, countries are no longer bombing other countries, and the pandemic is long behind us.
But for now, we have to watch our dollars.
I had to work hard this year to adjust my attitude. Inflation is out of my control. Being angry every day is exhausting. Waiting on more intervention from the Government makes me feels helpless.
At the end of the day, Wellington is an incredible city to live in. We are in proximity to stunning beaches, hills and tramping tracks, incredible people, endless cafes and breweries. Pollution is low, crime rate is low, public transport is reliable.
My dollar may not be going very far at the moment, but the quality of life in Wellington is still worth the cost.
If you’re forced into a high cost of living, you might as well be in a special city that makes it worth your while. For me, Wellington is that city.
