Bangalore vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bangalore is ~41% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bangalore
India
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
13.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
21.7
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bangalore | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $378 | $819 | $441 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $223 | $644 | $421 |
| Groceries | $112 | $271 | $159 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $14 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $13 | $75 | $62 |
| Utilities | $35 | $82 | $47 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bangalore | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $373/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $628/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $797/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bangalore | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,546/mo | +$1,046 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,394/mo | +$1,394 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,092/mo | +$2,092 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bangalore vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bangalore is approximately 41% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Bangalore's COL+Rent Index of 21.8 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Bangalore costs $378/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Bangalore a $441/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,292 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bangalore ($112/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Bangalore's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $14 show Bangalore is the better value for dining out. 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, Bangalore offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $628 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.