Is Almaty or Wellington cheaper to live in?

Almaty is 40% cheaper than Wellington. The average monthly cost in Almaty is $1,186, while Wellington costs $1,965 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Almaty or Wellington?

For digital nomads, Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps. Almaty is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Almaty has a NomadIQ score of 7/10 while Wellington scores 6.6/10.

What is the rent difference between Almaty and Wellington?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $747/month in Almaty and $1,214/month in Wellington. Almaty has 38% lower rent.

Is Almaty or Wellington safer?

Wellington has a higher safety score of 6.7/10. Almaty scores 4.7/10 for safety while Wellington scores 6.7/10.

Should I move to Almaty or Wellington as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Almaty if budget is important ($1,186/month). Choose Wellington for better safety. Almaty is better for remote work with 140 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Almaty vs Wellington

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/mo7/10

Wellington

New Zealand

$1,965/mo6.6/10

Almaty

Kazakhstan

$1,186/moNomadIQ 7/10

Wellington

New Zealand

$1,965/moNomadIQ 6.6/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Almaty

Wellington

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,186

$1,965

Almaty

Rent (1BR)

$747

$1,214

Almaty

Groceries

$300

$430

Almaty

Transport

$35

$150

Almaty

Healthcare

$90

$120

Almaty

Safety Score

4.7/10

6.7/10

Wellington

Internet Speed

140 Mbps

105 Mbps

Almaty

NomadIQ Score

7/10

6.6/10

Almaty

Overall Winner: Almaty

Based on our comparison, Almaty wins 7 out of 8 categories.Wellington wins 1 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Almaty and Wellington, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Almaty

$1,186/mo

Best Internet

Almaty

140 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Almaty

7/10

Our Recommendation: Almaty is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Wellington

When comparing Almaty and Wellington for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Almaty offers a more affordable lifestyle at $1,186/month compared to Wellington's $1,965/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Almaty leads with 140 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Wellington offers 105 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 6.7/10, Wellington offers better security than Almaty (4.7/10).

Overall: Almaty earns a higher NomadIQ score of 7/10, making it slightly more suited for the digital nomad lifestyle.

Cost of Living Comparison

Almaty is 40% cheaper than Wellington.

• Almaty rent: $747/mo
• Wellington rent: $1,214/mo
• Difference: $467/mo

Safety Comparison

Wellington has a higher safety score (6.7/10) compared to Almaty (4.7/10).

4.7/10

Almaty

6.7/10

Wellington

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Almaty offers faster internet at 140 Mbps vs 105 Mbps.

140 Mbps

Almaty

105 Mbps

Wellington

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Almaty edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 7 of 8 comparison factors.

Almaty: Best for budget-conscious expats

Wellington: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Almaty vs Wellington

Almaty

Wellington

Almaty

Wellington

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Almaty

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Almaty vs Wellington

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Almaty vs Wellington