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Moving to Wellington: Cost of Living, Suburbs and Getting Settled

Smartmove·
Wellington cable car above the city and harbour

Wellington packs a lot into a small footprint — the compact, walkable capital with a big culture, food and arts scene. It's a favourite for people who want city life without Auckland's sprawl. Here's what to weigh up before you move.

Cost of living

Wellington is more affordable than Auckland but still sits above the national average, particularly for rent close to the central city. The upside: because the city is compact, plenty of people live car-free or car-light, which takes a real chunk out of monthly costs. Groceries and everyday spending are broadly in line with other main centres.

Getting to know the suburbs

The hills and harbour define where people live.

  • Te Aro and the central city — walk to work and everything else, apartment living, priced for the convenience.
  • Northern and western suburbs (Karori, Johnsonville, Khandallah) — family suburbs with more space, a train or bus into town.
  • Eastern suburbs (Miramar, Kilbirnie) — near the airport and the coast.
  • Hutt Valley — more affordable and more space, a commute along the harbour.

The wind (and the walkability)

Yes, Wellington is windy — it's the trade-off for a genuinely walkable city where you can live without a car. Most locals decide the compactness and the culture more than make up for the odd rough southerly. Good rain gear helps.

Sorting the move itself

Wellington's hills, narrow streets and central-city apartments make access the thing to get right — steep driveways, stairs and lift bookings all add time. Make sure whoever you book knows the details at both ends.

Compare Wellington moving companies through Smartmove to see fixed pricing from moving companies side by side, so you know the total up front. If you're moving up from the South Island, allow extra time for the ferry. The Moving House Checklist keeps the rest on track.