Athens vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~5% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Athens
Greece
COL+Rent
38.8
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
57.1
Restaurant
68.6
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Athens | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $675 | $819 | $144 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $488 | $644 | $156 |
| Groceries | $353 | $271 | +$82 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $14 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $34 | $75 | $41 |
| Utilities | $181 | $82 | +$99 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Athens | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,038/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,573/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,075/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Athens | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,430/mo | -$70 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,907/mo | -$93 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,861/mo | -$139 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Athens vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 5% more affordable than Athens when combining rent and daily living costs. Athens's COL+Rent Index of 38.8 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 Athens costs $675/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Athens a $144/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Athens ($353/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.