Wellington vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Wellington is ~34% 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
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $3,142 | $1,664 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $2,455 | $1,276 |
| Groceries | $404 | $420 | $16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $24 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $114 | $3 |
| Utilities | $141 | $225 | $84 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,284/mo | +$784 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,045/mo | +$1,045 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,568/mo | +$1,568 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Wellington is approximately 34% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Dublin's 77.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Wellington costs $1,478/month versus $3,142/month in Dublin — giving Wellington a $1,664/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $19,968 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Wellington's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $24 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.