Calgary vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~22% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $819 | +$662 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $644 | +$534 |
| Groceries | $353 | $271 | +$82 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $14 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $75 | +$4 |
| Utilities | $137 | $82 | +$55 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,164/mo | -$336 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,551/mo | -$449 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,327/mo | -$673 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 22% more affordable than Calgary when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 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 Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $662/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,944 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 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.