Florence vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Florence is ~11% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Florence
Italy
COL+Rent
45.3
Rent Index
29.4
Groceries
54.8
Restaurant
51.5
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Florence | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,302 | $1,478 | $176 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $914 | $1,179 | $265 |
| Groceries | $311 | $404 | $93 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $18 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $35 | $111 | $76 |
| Utilities | $199 | $141 | +$58 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Florence | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,434/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $2,102/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,615/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Florence | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,685/mo | +$185 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,247/mo | +$247 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,371/mo | +$371 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Florence vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Florence is approximately 11% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Florence's COL+Rent Index of 45.3 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 Florence costs $1,302/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Florence a $176/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Florence ($311/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Florence's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $18 show Florence 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, Florence offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,102 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.