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
| Category | Wellington | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $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 Malmö — giving 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.