Chicago vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~35% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Chicago | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,998 | $819 | +$1,179 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,566 | $644 | +$922 |
| Groceries | $418 | $271 | +$147 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $14 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $73 | $75 | $2 |
| Utilities | $169 | $82 | +$87 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Chicago | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,189/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,988/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,701/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Chicago | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $972/mo | -$528 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,296/mo | -$704 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,944/mo | -$1,056 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Chicago vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 35% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Chicago's COL+Rent Index of 57.1 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 Chicago costs $1,998/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $1,179/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,148 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Chicago ($418/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.