Brisbane vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~31% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brisbane | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,702 | $819 | +$883 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,270 | $644 | +$626 |
| Groceries | $399 | $271 | +$128 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $14 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $75 | +$19 |
| Utilities | $141 | $82 | +$59 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brisbane | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,868/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,651/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,301/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brisbane | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,028/mo | -$472 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,370/mo | -$630 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,056/mo | -$944 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brisbane vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 31% more affordable than Brisbane when combining rent and daily living costs. Brisbane's COL+Rent Index of 54 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 Brisbane costs $1,702/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $883/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,596 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brisbane ($399/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 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.