Wellington vs Melbourne: Which city is better?
With a similar vibe and lifestyle on offer, Wellington and Melbourne are often considered to be sister cities.
Melbourne’s population has skyrocketed due to internal and external migration and is due to overtake Sydney in size this decade. This rapid increase in population seems to be taking a toll as many local hipsters are moving away to Byron Bay. How do Wellington and Melbourne compare?
Rankings
Here are some quality of life and liveability results as determined by credibly researched and published city rankings.
Mercer Quality of Life 2018 ranking:
- Melbourne 16th
- Wellington 15th
Deutsche Bank Most Liveable City 2018:
- Melbourne 7th
- Wellington 1st
The Economist Intelligence Unit Liveability Ranking 2018:
- Melbourne 2nd
- Wellington 26th
For the best part of the last decade, Melbournites could easily be justified in saying they live in the best city in the world, however, the city has slipped lately due to affordability, overcrowding, crime and infrastructure issues. Wellington on the other was a clear outsider at the turn of the century but has rapidly climbed the rankings; conspicuously it’s now No.1 according to Deutsche bank.
Winner: Wellington
The avocado on toast test
So, you’re tired of renting I hear you say? You tell me ‘there’s not much point in watering the garden anymore’ because you’re suspicious the landlord’s kicking you out in February to take advantage of the international student accommodation supply issue at the beginning of the academic year. Fair enough and yes, your dad is right; it’s time to pay off your own mortgage.
Let’s take a look at the stats as at October 2018:
- Melbourne median price for a house: 786,000 NZD but tipped to drop to 723,000 NZD by 2021.
- Median house price in Wellington: 597,000 NZD and tipped to remain stable or slightly rise.
Wellington and Melbourne house price to income ratio:
- Wellington: 6.17
- Melbourne: 9.9
There’s no doubt that property prices in Melbourne are far more expensive relative to income than Wellington, however, they are expected to drop. Wellington’s housing prices will remain above the global average but not out of reach of millennials looking to get their foot in. If you already own a house, Wellington has the advantage of stable prices. This means that in the context of an uncertain economic future for the region, Wellington is the better place to lock up your capital to buy property. The latest city comparisons can be found here.
As far as cost of living is concerned, Wellington (79th ranked city) is slightly more expensive than Melbourne (82nd). Your avocado on toast breakfast is cheaper in Melbourne if you make it yourself and cheaper to buy if you eat out.
Either way, you’ll be having far fewer avocado on toast breakfasts in Melbourne because housing prices are so much more expensive.
Winner: Wellington
The city with the most smiles
The World Happiness Report is an annual publication of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network which contains rankings of national happiness and analysis of the data from various perspectives. It finds that Kiwis are generally happier than Australians.
Conde de Nast Magazine ranks Wellington as the world’s 17th friendliest city in 2016 (Melbourne not on the list) while the same magazine ranks Melbourne as the 12th best city in the world to visit in 2017 – Wellington was not on this list.
Winner: Wellington
Conclusions:
All in all, it would seem that although Melbourne is a larger city and offers all the perks that come with it; better nightlife, cultural atmosphere, more foodie options and a more varied and better paying job market, Wellington has now surpassed Melbourne as a better place to live. Sorry, Melbourne. You lose.
P.S. To all my local friends, happy Wellington Anniversary Day!