Antwerp vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~12% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Antwerp
Belgium
COL+Rent
42.2
Rent Index
23.4
Groceries
52.4
Restaurant
49
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Antwerp | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,033 | $819 | +$214 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $779 | $644 | +$135 |
| Groceries | $294 | $271 | +$23 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $14 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $41 | $75 | $34 |
| Utilities | $192 | $82 | +$110 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Antwerp | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,286/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,815/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,284/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Antwerp | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,315/mo | -$185 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,754/mo | -$246 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,630/mo | -$370 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Antwerp vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 12% more affordable than Antwerp when combining rent and daily living costs. Antwerp's COL+Rent Index of 42.2 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Antwerp costs $1,033/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $214/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $2,568 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Antwerp ($294/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $14 show Gothenburg 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, Gothenburg offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,457 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.