Bangkok vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bangkok is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bangkok
Thailand
COL+Rent
33.3
Rent Index
20.2
Groceries
54.2
Restaurant
32.2
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bangkok | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $689 | $819 | $130 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $435 | $644 | $209 |
| Groceries | $317 | $271 | +$46 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $14 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $35 | $75 | $40 |
| Utilities | $93 | $82 | +$11 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bangkok | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $809/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,224/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,481/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bangkok | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,667/mo | +$167 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,222/mo | +$222 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,333/mo | +$333 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bangkok vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bangkok is approximately 10% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Bangkok's COL+Rent Index of 33.3 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 Bangkok costs $689/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Bangkok a $130/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 Bangkok ($317/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $14 show Bangkok 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, Bangkok offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,224 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.