Oslo vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~24% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Oslo
Norway
COL+Rent
67.4
Rent Index
38.5
Groceries
98.2
Restaurant
106.4
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Oslo | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,954 | $1,478 | +$476 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,492 | $1,179 | +$313 |
| Groceries | $604 | $404 | +$200 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $18 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $111 | $18 |
| Utilities | $195 | $141 | +$54 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Oslo | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,315/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $3,266/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,100/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Oslo | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,133/mo | -$367 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,510/mo | -$490 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,266/mo | -$734 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Oslo vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 24% more affordable than Oslo when combining rent and daily living costs. Oslo's COL+Rent Index of 67.4 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 Oslo costs $1,954/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Wellington a $476/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,712 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Oslo ($604/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Wellington's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 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.