Copenhagen vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~23% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Copenhagen
Denmark
COL+Rent
66.1
Rent Index
39
Groceries
85.8
Restaurant
115.3
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Copenhagen | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,951 | $1,449 | +$502 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,465 | $1,139 | +$326 |
| Groceries | $543 | $339 | +$204 |
| Restaurant Meal | $33 | $17 | +$16 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $93 | $22 |
| Utilities | $216 | $103 | +$113 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Copenhagen | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,264/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,276/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,172/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Copenhagen | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,157/mo | -$343 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,543/mo | -$457 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,315/mo | -$685 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Copenhagen vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 23% more affordable than Copenhagen when combining rent and daily living costs. Copenhagen's COL+Rent Index of 66.1 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 Copenhagen costs $1,951/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $502/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,024 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Copenhagen ($543/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $33 vs $17 show Stockholm 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, Stockholm offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,239 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.