Graz vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Graz is ~23% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Graz
Austria
COL+Rent
39.4
Rent Index
18.1
Groceries
61.7
Restaurant
58
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Graz | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $821 | $1,478 | $657 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $630 | $1,179 | $549 |
| Groceries | $370 | $404 | $34 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $18 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $47 | $111 | $64 |
| Utilities | $170 | $141 | +$29 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Graz | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,166/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $1,633/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,055/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Graz | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,938/mo | +$438 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,584/mo | +$584 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,876/mo | +$876 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Graz vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Graz is approximately 23% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Graz's COL+Rent Index of 39.4 vs Wellington's 50.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Graz costs $821/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Graz a $657/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,884 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Graz ($370/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Graz's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 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, Graz offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,633 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.