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Hobart vs Wellington

Australia flagHobartNew Zealand flagWellington

Hobart and Wellington are compared across affordability, safety, healthcare, career, culture and food, and public life. Wellington has the broader all-round edge, while Hobart leads on safety. The better fit depends on which of those relocation priorities matters most.

How they compare

AffordabilitySafetyHealthcareCareerCulturePublic life
  • Hobart
  • Wellington
Affordability
63
67
Safety
85
79
Healthcare
68
73
Career
54
63
Culture & food
71
78
Public life & spaces
78
78
Overall
65
69

Objective 0–100 scores from source-backed CrossBorders data. Green marks the category leader; gold is the overall leader.

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Category by category

Is Hobart or Wellington cheaper to live in?

Hobart 63Wellington 67

Wellington has the lower open-market one-bedroom rent on a new lease, at about €941 per month, compared with €1,005 in Hobart. Against one typical employee's mean net pay, Hobart is tight alone at roughly 38%, while Wellington is manageable solo at roughly 33%.

Is Hobart or Wellington safer?

Hobart 85Wellington 79

Hobart leads, one of the safest corners of an already safe country. Wellington is very safe too, with rare violent crime and rock-solid political stability, just a touch behind Hobart's small-scale calm.

Does Hobart or Wellington have better healthcare?

Hobart 68Wellington 73

Wellington edges ahead, with dependable emergency services and no language barrier anywhere. Hobart's care is solid for routine needs, but as a smaller capital carries fewer specialists.

Is Hobart or Wellington better for your career?

Hobart 54Wellington 63

Wellington leads, a government-and-creative-industries town with a steadier job market and lower unemployment risk than Hobart's near-absent startup scene. Neither rivals a big mainland city for career depth.

Does Hobart or Wellington have a better food and culture scene?

Hobart 71Wellington 78

Wellington comes out ahead, its cafe and coffee scene, restaurants, and national museum giving it remarkable cultural density for its size. Hobart still punches above its own size on art and food, just a step behind.

Does Hobart or Wellington have better public spaces and street life?

Hobart 78Wellington 78

The two are level here. Hobart's Salamanca waterfront and Saturday market are cheap and walkable; Wellington answers with its own walkable, cafe-dense waterfront and the free Te Papa museum.

The verdict

Choose Wellington for the broader all-round balance, especially if affordability matters most. Choose Hobart if safety matters more. Compare their rent burden and day-to-day strengths before deciding.

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Australia flagLiving in HobartNew Zealand flagLiving in Wellington

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