Vienna vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~8% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $1,478 | $87 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,179 | $111 |
| Groceries | $487 | $404 | +$83 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $18 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $111 | $49 |
| Utilities | $224 | $141 | +$83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,381/mo | -$119 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,841/mo | -$159 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,761/mo | -$239 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 8% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Vienna a $87/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Wellington's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.