Ankara vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ankara is ~58% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Ankara
Turkey
COL+Rent
21.2
Rent Index
9
Groceries
33.2
Restaurant
29.6
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ankara | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $377 | $1,478 | $1,101 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $248 | $1,179 | $931 |
| Groceries | $213 | $404 | $191 |
| Restaurant Meal | $9 | $18 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $21 | $111 | $90 |
| Utilities | $51 | $141 | $90 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ankara | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $505/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $797/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,031/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ankara | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,601/mo | +$2,101 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,802/mo | +$2,802 |
| $3,000/mo | $7,203/mo | +$4,203 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ankara vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ankara is approximately 58% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Ankara's COL+Rent Index of 21.2 vs Wellington's 50.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Ankara costs $377/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Ankara a $1,101/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,212 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ankara ($213/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Ankara's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $9 vs $18 show Ankara is the better value for dining out. 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, Ankara offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $797 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.