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Wellington · Rental Yield Guide 2026

What's a good rental yield in Wellington?

Average yields, top suburbs, and a free calculator to analyse any Wellington address instantly.

Calculate Wellington rental yield
Data updated May 2026 · Sources: MBIE tenancy bond data · LINZ · REINZ
Avg gross yield — 3 bed
3.5–5.5%
Varies by area · Porirua & Hutt Valley highest
Median rent — 3 bedroom
~$640/wk
Source: MBIE tenancy bond data 2025
Median house price
~$800k
Source: REINZ 2025 · Down ~30% from 2022 peak
Yield by area
Where are Wellington's best yields?

Gross rental yields across greater Wellington vary widely. Porirua and the Hutt Valley offer the strongest returns, while Wellington City and Kapiti Coast trade some yield for lifestyle and capital growth potential.

Wellington City
3.6–4.8%
Gross yield range
Porirua
4.8–6.2%
Gross yield range
Lower Hutt
4.0–5.8%
Gross yield range
Upper Hutt
4.5–5.5%
Gross yield range
Kapiti Coast
3.9–5.2%
Gross yield range

Approximate gross yield ranges based on REINZ median sale prices and MBIE tenancy bond median rents, 2025. Individual properties will vary. Use the calculator below to model a specific address.

Median rents by bedroom
Wellington weekly rents by area

Based on MBIE tenancy bond data, May 2026. Use these figures to estimate rental income before running the full calculator.

Area1 Bedroom2 Bedroom3 Bedroom4 BedroomApprox. Gross Yield
Hutt Valley~$380/wk~$470/wk~$560/wk~$700/wk4.5–5.5%
Porirua~$400/wk~$490/wk~$580/wk~$730/wk4.2–5.2%
Kapiti Coast~$410/wk~$510/wk~$600/wk~$760/wk3.8–4.8%
Central Wellington~$480/wk~$590/wk~$700/wk~$890/wk3.5–4.5%
North Wellington~$440/wk~$540/wk~$640/wk~$810/wk3.5–4.2%

Median weekly rents from MBIE tenancy bond records, May 2026. Individual rents vary by property condition and exact location. Gross yield calculations based on REINZ area median prices.

Browse Wellington suburbs

Select an area to explore suburbs and analyse individual properties with our free yield calculator.

The numbers explained
Understanding Wellington yields

Why Wellington yields improved after 2022

Wellington experienced one of New Zealand's steepest price corrections after the 2021 peak — median values in some Wellington City suburbs fell 35–40%. Combined with rents that held relatively firm or rose modestly, this produced a meaningful improvement in gross yields across the region. A property that returned 2.8% gross at peak can now return 4.2–4.8% at current prices.

Porirua and the Hutt Valley, where prices were already more affordable, now offer yields comparable to South Auckland's highest-returning suburbs — without requiring the same level of property management intensity that comes with some South Auckland locations.

Gross yield vs net yield

Gross yield is rent divided by purchase price — it's a quick comparison tool, not an investment decision. Net yield deducts property management fees (typically 8–10%), insurance, council rates and maintenance, which can reduce a 5.0% gross yield to 3.2–3.8% net depending on the property.

Wellington's older housing stock — particularly character homes in Wellington City — can carry elevated maintenance costs relative to newer builds in the Hutt Valley or Kapiti. Factor this into any net yield modelling.

Porirua
~5.5%
Upper Hutt
~5.0%
Lower Hutt
~4.8%
Kapiti Coast
~4.6%
Wellington City
~4.2%
Auckland avg
~4.0%

Approximate gross yields. Source: REINZ median prices & MBIE tenancy bond data 2025.

Investor profile

Who should invest in Wellington?

Wellington suits investors who value stable, high-quality tenants and long-term yield over pure capital growth. The public sector workforce — government, health, education — provides a large pool of reliable, professional renters who stay in properties longer and maintain them well.

The Hutt Valley and Porirua offer the best yields (4.5–5.5%), while central Wellington commands higher rents but also higher prices. The Kapiti Coast is emerging as a commuter-belt opportunity with improving infrastructure.

Good fit if you...
  • Want stable, long-term government-sector tenants
  • Prefer Hutt Valley / Porirua for 5%+ yields
  • Value lower vacancy rates and low turnover
  • Are investing for 7–15 year holds
  • Want a smaller market with solid fundamentals
Consider alternatives if you...
  • Want Auckland-scale capital growth potential
  • Need maximum gross yield above 6%
  • Are concerned about earthquake risk
  • Prefer high-density apartment investing
  • Want a fast-growing regional market
Frequently asked questions
Wellington property investment FAQ
Wellington's average gross rental yield is approximately 3.5–5.5%, varying significantly by area. Hutt Valley and Porirua suburbs achieve 4.5–5.5%, while central Wellington averages 3.5–4.5%. Net yields after expenses are typically 1–1.5% lower. The Kapiti Coast sits in the 3.8–4.8% range.
The Hutt Valley — Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt — offers the strongest yields in the Wellington region. Suburbs like Naenae, Taita and Stokes Valley regularly achieve 5%+ gross yield due to lower entry prices relative to rental income. Porirua is another strong performer, with suburbs like Cannons Creek and Titahi Bay in the 4.5–5.5% range.
Wellington sits on an active fault zone and carries the highest earthquake risk of any NZ main centre. This affects insurance costs (premiums can be 50–100% higher than other cities) and can impact the value of certain building types — particularly unreinforced masonry. Check GeoNet's hazard maps and always obtain a builder's inspection and check the building's EQ rating before purchasing.
Wellington's reliance on government employment is both a strength and a risk. Public sector restructuring has caused some softening in demand since 2024, but Wellington still has NZ's highest proportion of professional tenants. The city's universities and health sector provide additional demand diversification. Long-term fundamentals remain solid for well-located properties.
Wellington city median house prices are approximately $750,000–$780,000 as of mid-2026, down from a peak of around $1.05M in late 2021. The Hutt Valley offers lower entry prices around $550,000–$650,000, while Kapiti sits around $650,000–$750,000. These price corrections have improved yields relative to peak.
Wellington rents have increased moderately. The median 3-bedroom rent rose from approximately $540/wk in early 2023 to around $620/wk by mid-2026 — roughly 15% over three years. Rental growth has been supported by strong demand from professionals but slightly moderated by public sector workforce reductions since 2024.

Check the yield on any Wellington property

Enter any Wellington address and get instant gross yield, net yield, estimated rent, cash flow and LVR — completely free.

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