Wellington vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~27% 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
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $819 | +$659 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $644 | +$535 |
| Groceries | $404 | $271 | +$133 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $14 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $75 | +$36 |
| Utilities | $141 | $82 | +$59 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,090/mo | -$410 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,454/mo | -$546 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,181/mo | -$819 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 27% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Wellington costs $1,478/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $659/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,908 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $14 show Gothenburg 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, Gothenburg offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,457 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.