Nelson vs Queenstown: which is better, month by month

Nelson beats Queenstown in 10 of 12 months — its lead peaks in January (91 vs 13) — while Queenstown wins July; they are within 3 points in August.

Each place is scored under the lens that suits its type — they are different kinds of destination, so the scores are each place at its own best. Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 estimate from ERA5 climate normals, not a forecast.

Nelson

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: January 91/100
Months won: 10 of 12

Queenstown

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: July 72/100
Months won: 1 of 12

Nelson vs Queenstown — all 12 months

Month	Nelson	Queenstown	Winner	Gap
January	91Swarm, rainy, clean air	13Fnice, rainy, clean air	Nelson	78
February	90Swarm, rainy, clean air	19Fnice, rainy, clean air	Nelson	71
March	87Anice, rainy, clean air	17Fnice, rainy, clean air	Nelson	70
April	77Bnice, rainy, clean air	26Fcool, rainy, clean air	Nelson	51
May	69Cnice, rainy, clean air	44Fcool, rainy, clean air	Nelson	25
June	65Ccool, rainy, clean air	60Ccold, rainy, clean air	Nelson	5
July	61Ccool, soaked, clean air	72Bcold, rainy, clean air	Queenstown	11
August	67Ccool, rainy, clean air	64Ccold, rainy, clean air	Tie	3
September	75Bcool, rainy, clean air	56Dcool, soaked, clean air	Nelson	19
October	79Bnice, rainy, clean air	39Fcool, rainy, clean air	Nelson	40
November	83Anice, rainy, clean air	24Fnice, rainy, clean air	Nelson	59
December	86Anice, rainy, clean air	15Fnice, rainy, clean air	Nelson	71

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (91 vs 13). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.