City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Cebu vs Wellington — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Cebu
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.5 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Wellington
Likely Insufficient
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo may not cover basic costs in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $511 | $830 | $319 |
| Groceries | $538 | $253 | +$285 |
| Dining Out | $149 | $135 | +$14 |
| Transportation | $25 | $69 | $44 |
| Utilities | $201 | $88 | +$113 |
| Other / Misc | $76 | $125 | $49 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$1,500
per month
Wellington equivalent
$4,926
per month
You'd need $4,926/mo in Wellington to match $1,500/mo in Cebu.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $1,500/month?
Living in Cebu on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$511 to rent, $538 to groceries, $149 to dining.
Can I live in Wellington on $1,500/month?
In Wellington, $1,500/mo is rated "Likely Insufficient". Allocations: $830 rent, $253 groceries, $135 dining.
Is Cebu or Wellington cheaper?
Cebu is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Cebu worth in Wellington?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$4,926/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.