City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Chicago vs Wellington — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Chicago
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 57.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chicago.
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chicago | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,997 | $2,768 | +$229 |
| Groceries | $703 | $842 | $139 |
| Dining Out | $444 | $450 | $6 |
| Transportation | $123 | $231 | $108 |
| Utilities | $284 | $294 | $10 |
| Other / Misc | $449 | $415 | +$34 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chicago
$5,000
per month
Wellington equivalent
$4,457
per month
Only $4,457/mo in Wellington matches $5,000/mo in Chicago — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chicago on $5,000/month?
Living in Chicago on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,997 to rent, $703 to groceries, $444 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 Chicago or Wellington cheaper?
Wellington is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chicago 57.1 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Chicago worth in Wellington?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Chicago equals ~$4,457/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.