Chicago vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~11% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Chicago | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,998 | $1,478 | +$520 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,566 | $1,179 | +$387 |
| Groceries | $418 | $404 | +$14 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $18 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $73 | $111 | $38 |
| Utilities | $169 | $141 | +$28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Chicago | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,189/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $2,988/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,701/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Chicago | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,337/mo | -$163 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,783/mo | -$217 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,674/mo | -$326 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Chicago vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 11% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Chicago's COL+Rent Index of 57.1 vs Wellington's 50.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Chicago costs $1,998/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Wellington a $520/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,240 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Chicago ($418/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Wellington'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.