Cebu vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cebu is ~58% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Cebu
Philippines
COL+Rent
15.5
Rent Index
5.3
Groceries
30.1
Restaurant
15.7
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Cebu | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $201 | $819 | $618 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $129 | $644 | $515 |
| Groceries | $174 | $271 | $97 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $14 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $8 | $75 | $67 |
| Utilities | $65 | $82 | $17 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Cebu | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $340/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $508/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $633/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Cebu | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,581/mo | +$2,081 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,774/mo | +$2,774 |
| $3,000/mo | $7,161/mo | +$4,161 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Cebu vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Cebu is approximately 58% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Cebu's COL+Rent Index of 15.5 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Cebu costs $201/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Cebu a $618/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,416 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Cebu ($174/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Cebu's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $14 show Cebu 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, Cebu offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $508 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.