City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Tokyo vs Wellington — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Tokyo
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 41.5 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Tokyo.
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Tokyo | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,450 | $1,661 | $211 |
| Groceries | $631 | $505 | +$126 |
| Dining Out | $214 | $270 | $56 |
| Transportation | $127 | $139 | $12 |
| Utilities | $360 | $176 | +$184 |
| Other / Misc | $218 | $249 | $31 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Tokyo
$3,000
per month
Wellington equivalent
$3,680
per month
You'd need $3,680/mo in Wellington to match $3,000/mo in Tokyo.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Tokyo on $3,000/month?
Living in Tokyo on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,450 to rent, $631 to groceries, $214 to dining.
Can I live in Wellington on $3,000/month?
In Wellington, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,661 rent, $505 groceries, $270 dining.
Is Tokyo or Wellington cheaper?
Tokyo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Tokyo 41.5 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Tokyo worth in Wellington?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Tokyo equals ~$3,680/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.