Wellington vs Brisbane
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~6% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Brisbane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $1,702 | $224 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $1,270 | $91 |
| Groceries | $404 | $399 | +$5 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $21 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $94 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $141 | $141 | $0 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $1,868/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $2,651/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $3,301/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Brisbane | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,591/mo | +$91 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,122/mo | +$122 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,183/mo | +$183 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Brisbane for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 6% more affordable than Brisbane when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Brisbane's 54 (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 Wellington costs $1,478/month versus $1,702/month in Brisbane — giving Wellington a $224/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,688 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Brisbane ($399/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $21 show Wellington 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, 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.