City Comparison

Wellington vs Malmö

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Malmö is ~31% 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

Malmö

Sweden

COL+Rent

35.1

Rent Index

17.1

Groceries

45.6

Restaurant

42.6

Monthly Cost Comparison

CategoryWellingtonMalmöDiff
Rent (1BR City)$1,478$756+$722
Rent (1BR Outside)$1,179$594+$585
Groceries$404$260+$144
Restaurant Meal$18$13+$5
Transit Pass$111$71+$40
Utilities$141$79+$62

Monthly Budget Comparison

LifestyleWellingtonMalmö
Minimal$1,786/mo$978/mo
Typical$2,404/mo$1,361/mo
Comfortable$2,977/mo$1,721/mo

Purchasing Power Equivalence

Budget in Wellington≈ in MalmöDifference
$1,500/mo$1,034/mo-$466
$2,000/mo$1,379/mo-$621
$3,000/mo$2,069/mo-$931

Detailed Budget Analysis

See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:

Analysis: Wellington vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers

Our data shows Malmö is approximately 31% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmögiving Malmö a $722/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,664 in annual savings.

Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Malmö's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $13 show Malmö 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, Malmö offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,361 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wellington or Malmö cheaper to live in?
Malmö is approximately 31% cheaper overall. Wellington's COL+Rent Index is 50.9 vs Malmö's 35.1 (NYC = 100).
How much is rent in Wellington vs Malmö?
A 1BR in Wellington city center costs ~$1,478/mo vs $756/mo in Malmö. Outside the center: $1,179 vs $594.
What is $2,000/month in Wellington worth in Malmö?
Using cost-of-living adjustment, $2,000/month in Wellington has the purchasing power of approximately $1,379/month in Malmö.
Are groceries cheaper in Wellington or Malmö?
Monthly groceries cost approximately $404 in Wellington vs $260 in Malmö. Groceries Index: 72.8 vs 45.6 (NYC = 100).