Cost of living comparison

 Wellington, New Zealand
compared to
 Fairbanks (AK), United States
Fairbanks vs. Wellington Cost of Living Summary

Fairbanks is 22.2% more expensive than Wellington.

Restaurants
pay 31.7% more in Fairbanks
Groceries
pay 73.8% more in Fairbanks
Transportation
pay 30.7% less in Fairbanks
Housing
pay 32.3% more in Fairbanks
Entertainment and Sports
pay 47.5% more in Fairbanks
Clothing
pay 21.1% less in Fairbanks

The cost of groceries, entertainment and sports, housing, and restaurants in Fairbanks are more expensive than in Wellington. Expenses including transportation and clothing are lower in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks vs. Wellington Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Fairbanks instead of Wellington, you would:

pay 31.7% more for restaurants

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $14.93
NZ$24.83
$25.00
 
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$8.96
NZ$14.90
$14.00
 
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.57
NZ$4.28
$2.83
 

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pay 73.8% more for groceries

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Bread
1 loaf
$1.96
NZ$3.27
$5.26
 
Local cheese (8 oz) $4.15
NZ$6.90
$8.95
 
Milk (1 gallon) $6.98
NZ$11.61
$4.25
 

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pay 30.7% less for transportation

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Gasoline (1 gallon) $6.42
NZ$10.67
$3.97
 
Monthly public transit pass $127.57
NZ$212.15
$40.00
 
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $34,339.84
NZ$57,109.35
??

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pay 32.3% more for housing

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$54.27
NZ$90.25
$115.00
 
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,487.35
NZ$2,473.55
$1,650.00
 
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,335.17
NZ$2,220.48
$1,500.00
 

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pay (unknown) more for childcare

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $871.44
NZ$1,449.25
??
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $12,649.75
NZ$21,037.35
??

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pay 47.5% more for entertainment and sports

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $7.17
NZ$11.92
$8.00
 
Cappuccino in mid-range area $3.41
NZ$5.68
$6.50
 
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$24.46
NZ$40.67
$11.19
 

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pay 21.1% less for clothing

 
Wellington
Fairbanks
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$75.78
NZ$126.02
$60.00
 
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$55.09
NZ$91.62
$40.00
 
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$119.44
NZ$198.64
$85.00
 

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: June 2025
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