😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,436 in Wellington versus $2,098 in Willemstad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,489 in Wellington versus $3,204 in Willemstad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,542 in Wellington versus $4,310 in Willemstad.
🌍Living in Wellington is roughly 16% more expensive than in Willemstad, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Wellington77% above, Willemstad52% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.34NZ$24.38
$19.07ANG 34.04
-24.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.3NZ$114
$82.4ANG 147
-18.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72NZ$16.53
$11.21ANG 20.00
-13.29%
Cappuccino
$3.41NZ$5.80
$3.79ANG 6.77
-10.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57NZ$4.37
$3.10ANG 5.53
-17.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84NZ$3.13
$1.85ANG 3.31
-0.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.61NZ$12.93
$5.88ANG 10.49
29.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.12NZ$12.10
$5.24ANG 9.36
35.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.92NZ$3.26
$1.93ANG 3.45
-0.52%
White Bread(500g)
$2.32NZ$3.95
$2.94ANG 5.25
-21.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.93NZ$3.28
$3.57ANG 6.37
-45.94%
Eggs
$7.29NZ$12.38
$3.84ANG 6.85
89.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.78NZ$16.62
$16.36ANG 29.20
-40.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05NZ$17.08
$7.13ANG 12.72
40.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.73NZ$26.74
$11.89ANG 21.23
32.30%
Apples(1kg)
$3.21NZ$5.45
$5.43ANG 9.69
-40.88%
Banana(1kg)
$2.31NZ$3.93
$3.05ANG 5.45
-24.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.15NZ$5.35
$3.38ANG 6.04
-6.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.67NZ$11.34
$4.01ANG 7.15
66.33%
Potato(1kg)
$2.14NZ$3.65
$2.55ANG 4.55
-16.08%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31NZ$2.23
$1.96ANG 3.50
-33.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.19NZ$3.71
$2.41ANG 4.30
-9.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20NZ$2.05
$2.79ANG 4.98
-56.99%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$26.36NZ$44.81
$9.78ANG 17.45
169.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.86NZ$20.16
$12.12ANG 21.63
-2.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.24NZ$5.51
$2.41ANG 4.30
34.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92NZ$4.96
$2.42ANG 4.33
20.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.00NZ$5.10
$1.91ANG 3.40
57.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$108NZ$184
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.97NZ$3.34
$22.42ANG 40.02
-91.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92NZ$3.26
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.88NZ$59.3
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98NZ$3.37
$1.32ANG 2.36
50.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.0KNZ$44.1K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KNZ$45.5K
$20.7KANG 36.9K
29.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$206NZ$351
$274ANG 489
-24.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.99NZ$56.1
$77.3ANG 138
-57.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.2NZ$95.6
$65.6ANG 117
-14.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.29NZ$68.5
$48.88ANG 87.3
-17.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.02NZ$28.93
$44.85ANG 80.1
-62.05%
Cinema Ticket
$12.98NZ$22.06
$12.16ANG 21.71
6.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,107NZ$1,882
$322ANG 576
243.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.5KNZ$23.0K
$12.3KANG 22.0K
9.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.1NZ$136
$102ANG 181
-21.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.15NZ$49.54
$73.0ANG 130
-60.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108NZ$183
$163ANG 291
-33.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$163NZ$276
$93.1ANG 166
74.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,297NZ$2,204
$810ANG 1,446
60.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,210NZ$2,057
$678ANG 1,210
78.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,278NZ$3,872
$1,688ANG 3,014
34.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,759NZ$2,989
$1,212ANG 2,163
45.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,004NZ$11.9K
$832ANG 1,485
742.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,701NZ$6,291
$164ANG 294
2150.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wellington
Willemstad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,914NZ$4,952
$1,233ANG 2,200
136.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.39
4.97
8.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Wellington: September 7, 2026
Last update for Willemstad: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,297 in Wellington and $810 in Willemstad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Wellington pays 136% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $67.0 in Wellington vs $82.0 in Willemstad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $360 vs $374 per month, with Wellington cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Wellington vs Willemstad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Willemstad cheaper than Wellington?
Willemstad is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around. The 16% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Wellington or Willemstad?
Average pay runs 136% higher in Wellington, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Wellington and Willemstad?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,297 in Wellington versus $810 in Willemstad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Wellington and in Willemstad?
Shoppers in Wellington pay roughly 4% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Wellington and in Willemstad?
All in, you'll spend $2,436 per month in Wellington versus $2,098 in Willemstad – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Wellington or in Willemstad?
At $2,098 in Willemstad versus $2,436 in Wellington, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Willemstad but tight or insufficient in Wellington. The gap between the two cities makes Willemstad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Wellington or Willemstad more family-friendly?
For families, Willemstad is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Wellington, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Wellington or Willemstad?
Safety-wise, Wellington and Willemstad are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Willemstad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Wellington. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Wellington vs other spots: cost of living compared