City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Tokyo.
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Tokyo | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,417 | $2,768 | $351 |
| Groceries | $1,052 | $842 | +$210 |
| Dining Out | $357 | $450 | $93 |
| Transportation | $211 | $231 | $20 |
| Utilities | $600 | $294 | +$306 |
| Other / Misc | $363 | $415 | $52 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Tokyo
$5,000
per month
Wellington equivalent
$6,133
per month
You'd need $6,133/mo in Wellington to match $5,000/mo in Tokyo.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Tokyo on $5,000/month?
Living in Tokyo on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,417 to rent, $1,052 to groceries, $357 to dining.
Can I live in Wellington on $5,000/month?
In Wellington, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,768 rent, $842 groceries, $450 dining.
Is Tokyo or Wellington cheaper?
Tokyo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Tokyo 41.5 vs Wellington 50.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Tokyo worth in Wellington?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Tokyo equals ~$6,133/mo in Wellington using COL adjustment.