City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Wellington vs Brussels — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Wellington
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 50.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Wellington.
Brussels
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 54.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Brussels.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Wellington | Brussels | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,768 | $2,797 | $29 |
| Groceries | $842 | $725 | +$117 |
| Dining Out | $450 | $486 | $36 |
| Transportation | $231 | $101 | +$130 |
| Utilities | $294 | $472 | $178 |
| Other / Misc | $415 | $419 | $4 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Wellington
$5,000
per month
Brussels equivalent
$5,393
per month
You'd need $5,393/mo in Brussels to match $5,000/mo in Wellington.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Wellington on $5,000/month?
Living in Wellington on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,768 to rent, $842 to groceries, $450 to dining.
Can I live in Brussels on $5,000/month?
In Brussels, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,797 rent, $725 groceries, $486 dining.
Is Wellington or Brussels cheaper?
Wellington is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Wellington 50.9 vs Brussels 54.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Wellington worth in Brussels?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Wellington equals ~$5,393/mo in Brussels using COL adjustment.