This article will give you an idea about the cost of living in Wellington city. The tables below show estimated living costs for one academic year at Victoria, which is based on 40 weeks. If you are planning to stay in Wellington during the non-academic term, you will need to budget for the extra 12 weeks not included in the estimates below. Also, Residence Hall costs and inclusions vary.

Living costs depend on where and how you choose to live. The average weekly cost of a Hall of Residence is between $185 and $315 and it may include up to three daily meals, internet, electricity and local phone costs. Rent for flatting - shared apartment or house - averages $155 per week, with additional costs for food, internet, phone and electricity.

Hall of Residence

Sample budget for an individual student living (single room) in a university hall of residence.

Payments to your hall of residences must be paid in advance, per trimester. Depending on your hall of residence, the advance payment may range from $3500 to $6500 per trimester.

	Self-Catered		Fully-Catered
Hall fee	$195	Hall fee	$315
Power / gas	$10	Power / gas	Included in hall fee
Phone / Internet	May be included in hall fee	Phone / Internet	Included in hall fee
Cellphone prepaid	$10	Cellphone prepaid	$10
Groceries	$70	Meals	Included in hall fee
Toiletries	$10	Toiletries	$10
Transport	$10	Transport	$10
Snacks and lunches	$15	Snacks and lunches	$20
Entertainment	$40	Entertainment	$10
Weekly Subtotal	$360	Weekly Subtotal	$375
Total (40 weeks)	$14400	Total (40 weeks)	$15000

Flatting - renting a private room

Sample budget for an individual student sharing a house with 2-3 others. Depending on your rental contract, you will be required to pay a bond, and up to 2 weeks in advance rent.

	Per Week	Per Academic Year Trimester 1 + 2 40 weeks
Rent	$155	$6200
Power / gas	$30	$1200
Phone / Internet	$10	$400
Cellphone prepaid	$10	$400
Groceries	$70	$2800
Toiletries	$10	$400
Transport	$25	$1000
Snacks and lunches	$15	$600
Entertainment	$40	$1600
Totals	$365	$14600

Cost of Common Items

Below are some average non-discounted prices of some common goods in New Zealand dollars.

Prepaid international telephone call cards around $20 for 5-6 hours
Takeaway meal $7 - $20
Coffee$4; soft drink $2; beer $7
DVD hire $8; cinema $14
Backpackers $30 (dorm bunk) per night
Taxi from airport to city (in Wellington)$25 - $35
Bus/cable car from university to city $2; taxi $12

For more information, please contact one of our offices

Last Updated: 17 October 2012
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