Tokyo vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Tokyo is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Tokyo
Japan
COL+Rent
41.5
Rent Index
22.3
Groceries
61.4
Restaurant
47.4
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Tokyo | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $988 | $1,478 | $490 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $638 | $1,179 | $541 |
| Groceries | $354 | $404 | $50 |
| Restaurant Meal | $10 | $18 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $111 | $40 |
| Utilities | $202 | $141 | +$61 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Tokyo | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,199/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $1,765/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,134/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Tokyo | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,840/mo | +$340 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,453/mo | +$453 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,680/mo | +$680 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Tokyo vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Tokyo is approximately 18% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Tokyo's COL+Rent Index of 41.5 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 Tokyo costs $988/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Tokyo a $490/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,880 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Tokyo ($354/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Tokyo's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $10 vs $18 show Tokyo 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, Tokyo offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,765 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.