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Darwin vs Wellington cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฆ๐บ Darwin
๐ณ๐ฟ Wellington
At a glance
- Where Wellington is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (36%โ), Entry ticket (34%โ), Laundry (27%โ)
- Where Darwin is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (18%โ), Beer (15%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Wellington is easier to travel (1.2 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Darwin 3 vs Wellington 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Darwin | Wellington | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 20$13.3 | NZ$ 25$15.2 | Darwin โ12% |
| Street food1 item | A$ 16$10.7 | NZ$ 15$9.09 | Wellington โ15% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 45$30 | NZ$ 55$33.3 | Darwin โ10% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 5.5$3.67 | NZ$ 6$3.64 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 10$6.67 | NZ$ 13$7.88 | Darwin โ15% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 17$11.3 | NZ$ 15$9.09 | Wellington โ20% |
| Bottled water | A$ 3.5$2.33 | NZ$ 3$1.82 | Wellington โ22% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 4.5$3 | NZ$ 4$2.42 | Wellington โ19% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 16$10.7 | NZ$ 17$10.3 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 10$6.67 | NZ$ 10$6.06 | Wellington โ9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 30$20 | NZ$ 40$24.2 | Darwin โ18% |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 160$107 | NZ$ 180$109 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 1,800$1,200 | NZ$ 1,950$1,182 | similar |
| Laundry | A$ 10$6.67 | NZ$ 8$4.85 | Wellington โ27% |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 30$20 | NZ$ 30$18.2 | Wellington โ9% |
| Haircutcut | A$ 30$20 | NZ$ 35$21.2 | Darwin โ6% |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 85$56.7 | NZ$ 110$66.7 | Darwin โ15% |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 120$80 | NZ$ 85$51.5 | Wellington โ36% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 48$32 | NZ$ 35$21.2 | Wellington โ34% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Darwin or Wellington?
Darwin and Wellington cost about the same. Daily budget $215 vs $226; a month $4,900 vs $4,500.
Which is easier to travel, Darwin or Wellington?
Wellington is easier: Wellington 1.2/5 vs Darwin 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Darwin and Wellington?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Darwin is about $4,900 and Wellington about $4,500 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.