Perth vs Wellington: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Perth vs Wellington: Perth runs about $2,640/mo all-in vs $2,450/mo in Wellington — Wellington is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and…
Wellington is the cheaper base — roughly $190/mo less all-in, both feel similarly safe, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Wellington is about $190/mo cheaper — $2,450/mo all-in vs $2,640/mo in Perth (one person).
- Rent: lower in Wellington ($1,500/mo vs $1,600/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: closely matched (84/100 vs 84/100).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (78/100 vs 82/100).
- Climate: Perth edges ahead (90/100 vs 58/100).
- Visa: both rated Moderate to enter — check long-stay and residency options for your passport.
- Retirement/long-stay: both have options — Perth via the Australia Retirement (410) Visa, Wellington via the New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa (Retirement).
- Families: closely matched on family safety (86/100 vs 88/100).
- Local salaries: higher in Perth (~$5,200/mo vs ~$3,800/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Perth logs about 278 sunny days a year vs 165 in Wellington.
Frequently asked questions
Is Perth or Wellington cheaper to live in?
Perth costs about $2,640/month all-in for one person; Wellington costs about $2,450/month. That makes Wellington roughly $190/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Wellington than Perth?
About $190/month for a single person — $2,450/mo in Wellington vs $2,640/mo in Perth, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Perth or Wellington?
They're closely matched — 84/100 for Perth and 84/100 for Wellington. Neighbourhood choice matters more than the city here.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Perth or Wellington?
For connectivity, both are solid (78/100 vs 82/100). On climate, Perth edges ahead (90/100 vs 58/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Perth or Wellington?
Perth's visa process is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks); Wellington's is rated Moderate (about 12 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Perth and Wellington for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.