Wellington vs Graz
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Graz is ~23% 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
Graz
Austria
COL+Rent
39.4
Rent Index
18.1
Groceries
61.7
Restaurant
58
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Graz | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $821 | +$657 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $630 | +$549 |
| Groceries | $404 | $370 | +$34 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $15 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $47 | +$64 |
| Utilities | $141 | $170 | $29 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $1,166/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $1,633/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $2,055/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Graz | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,161/mo | -$339 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,548/mo | -$452 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,322/mo | -$678 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Graz for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Graz is approximately 23% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Graz's 39.4 (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 $821/month in Graz — giving Graz a $657/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,884 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Graz ($370/mo) reflect Graz's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $15 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, Graz offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,633 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.