Amsterdam vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~22% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Amsterdam | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,318 | $1,478 | +$840 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,179 | +$643 |
| Groceries | $374 | $404 | $30 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $18 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $109 | $111 | $2 |
| Utilities | $210 | $141 | +$69 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Amsterdam | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,491/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $3,341/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,094/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Amsterdam | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,166/mo | -$334 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,554/mo | -$446 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,331/mo | -$669 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Amsterdam vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 22% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Amsterdam's COL+Rent Index of 65.5 vs Wellington's 50.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Amsterdam costs $2,318/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Wellington a $840/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,080 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Amsterdam ($374/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Amsterdam's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $18 show Wellington offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Wellington offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,404 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.