City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Brussels vs Wellington — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Brussels
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 54.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Brussels.
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Brussels | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,797 | $2,768 | +$29 |
| Groceries | $725 | $842 | $117 |
| Dining Out | $486 | $450 | +$36 |
| Transportation | $101 | $231 | $130 |
| Utilities | $472 | $294 | +$178 |
| Other / Misc | $419 | $415 | +$4 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Brussels
$5,000
per month
Wellington equivalent
$4,636
per month
Only $4,636/mo in Wellington matches $5,000/mo in Brussels — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Brussels on $5,000/month?
Living in Brussels on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,797 to rent, $725 to groceries, $486 to dining.
Can I live in Wellington on $5,000/month?
In Wellington, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,768 rent, $842 groceries, $450 dining.
Is Brussels or Wellington cheaper?
Wellington is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Brussels 54.9 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Brussels worth in Wellington?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Brussels equals ~$4,636/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.