Wellington vs Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Lisbon is ~14% 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
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $1,337 | +$141 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $1,040 | +$139 |
| Groceries | $404 | $277 | +$127 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $15 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $45 | +$66 |
| Utilities | $141 | $130 | +$11 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $1,469/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $2,014/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $2,495/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,291/mo | -$209 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,721/mo | -$279 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,582/mo | -$418 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Lisbon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Lisbon is approximately 14% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Lisbon's 43.8 (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 $1,337/month in Lisbon — giving Lisbon a $141/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Lisbon ($277/mo) reflect Lisbon's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $15 show Lisbon 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, Lisbon offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,014 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.