Wellingtonis 7% cheaper — BDI "Fair" (45/10) vs Christchurch "Fair" (40/10). Dorms avg $30/night vs $21/night.
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇳🇿 Christchurch | 🇳🇿 Wellington | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $48 | $45 cheaper | $3/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $79 cheaper | $80 | $1/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $123 cheaper | $128 | $5/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇳🇿 Christchurch | 🇳🇿 Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $17.57 | $14.65 17% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $35.73 1% less | $36.17 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $7.03 | $6.88 2% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3.38 7% less | $3.62 |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $1.76 40% less | $2.91 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇳🇿▼
Christchurch
New Zealand
40
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $30/night). Strong hostel scene (9 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelBreakFree on Cashel (9.7)
Annual dorm avg$30/night
Total hostels9
🇳🇿▼
Wellington
New Zealand
45
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $21/night). Strong hostel scene (7 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelThe Marion (9.7)
Annual dorm avg$21/night
Total hostels7
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Christchurch & Wellington
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇳🇿 Christchurch
1. Info CentreFree
2. Royds Street FountainFree
3. Wooden SeatFree
🇳🇿 Wellington
No attraction data
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Christchurch or Wellington cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Christchurch vs Wellington?+
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