Davao vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Davao is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Davao
Philippines
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
4.5
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
14.2
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Davao | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $171 | $1,478 | $1,307 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $110 | $1,179 | $1,069 |
| Groceries | $160 | $404 | $244 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $18 | $14 |
| Transit Pass | $8 | $111 | $103 |
| Utilities | $60 | $141 | $81 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Davao | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $306/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $459/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $577/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Davao | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $5,454/mo | +$3,954 |
| $2,000/mo | $7,271/mo | +$5,271 |
| $3,000/mo | $10,907/mo | +$7,907 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Davao vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Davao is approximately 72% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Davao's COL+Rent Index of 14 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 Davao costs $171/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Davao a $1,307/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $15,684 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Davao ($160/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Davao's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $18 show Davao 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, Davao offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $459 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.