Side-by-side city decision # Cascais vs Wellington. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link CascaisPortugal3 VS WellingtonNew Zealand3 $1,805Cascais monthly budget $2,270Wellington monthly budget 150 MbpsCascais internet 70 MbpsWellington internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Cascais Speed Fastest internet Cascais Vibe Best nomad vibe Wellington Safety Highest safety Cascais Air Cleanest air Wellington Walk Most walkable Wellington Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal 3/6 Budget$1,805 Internet150 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Wellington](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/wellington.md) New Zealand 3/6 Budget$2,270 Internet70 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals Total estimated budget $1,805 $2,270 1-bed center rent $1,200 $1,350 Coworking desk $200 $320 Local meal $11 $15 Cappuccino $2.7 $4.5 Gym membership $45 $55 Transport budget $55 $120 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 150 Mbps 70 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 85/100 82/100 Air quality 80/100 88/100 Walkability 7/10 8/10 Female safety 8/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 8/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Good Excellent Climate type Mediterranean Oceanic (Temperate, Windy) Best time to visit May - Sep Nov - Mar Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Cascais](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/portugal/cascais.md) Portugal → ### Strengths * Beautiful beaches and coastal views * Very safe and clean environment * Close to Lisbon (30 min by train) * Excellent year-round weather * Strong expat and nomad community * High-quality healthcare options ### Trade-offs * Expensive compared to other Portuguese towns * Gets crowded with tourists in summer * Limited nightlife compared to Lisbon * Hilly terrain can be tiring on foot * Public transport less frequent than in the capital * Tourist-heavy center can feel inauthentic ### Common visa routes * D7 Passive Income Visa * Digital Nomad Visa (D8) * Golden Visa [Wellington](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/wellington.md) New Zealand → ### Strengths * Stunning natural landscapes and weekend getaways * Excellent safety and low crime rates * Vibrant craft beer and coffee culture * Highly walkable compact city center * Friendly and multicultural community * Top-tier internet and remote work infrastructure ### Trade-offs * Very high cost of living, especially rent * Frequent strong winds, especially in spring * Limited nightlife compared to larger cities * Isolated location; flights to major hubs are expensive * Housing quality can vary greatly * Earthquake risk requires preparedness ### Common visa routes * Standard Visitor Visa (up to 9 months) * Working Holiday Visa (ages 18-30, varies by country) * Digital Nomad Visa (pilot program) Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.