Dublin vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~34% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Dublin | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,142 | $1,478 | +$1,664 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,455 | $1,179 | +$1,276 |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +$16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $24 | $18 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $111 | +$3 |
| Utilities | $225 | $141 | +$84 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Dublin | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,184/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $4,261/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,176/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Dublin | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $985/mo | -$515 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,314/mo | -$686 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,970/mo | -$1,030 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Dublin vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 34% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Dublin's COL+Rent Index of 77.5 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 Dublin costs $3,142/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Wellington a $1,664/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $19,968 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Dublin ($420/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Wellington's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $24 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.