Bergen vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~27% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bergen
Norway
COL+Rent
50.5
Rent Index
23.9
Groceries
78.6
Restaurant
78.9
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bergen | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,214 | $819 | +$395 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $927 | $644 | +$283 |
| Groceries | $483 | $271 | +$212 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $14 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $75 | $0 |
| Utilities | $156 | $82 | +$74 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bergen | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,584/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,258/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,867/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bergen | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,099/mo | -$401 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,465/mo | -$535 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,198/mo | -$802 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bergen vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 27% more affordable than Bergen when combining rent and daily living costs. Bergen's COL+Rent Index of 50.5 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 Bergen costs $1,214/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $395/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,740 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bergen ($483/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.