Cork vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~28% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Cork
Ireland
COL+Rent
51.2
Rent Index
40.5
Groceries
56.7
Restaurant
54.7
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Cork | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,714 | $819 | +$895 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,339 | $644 | +$695 |
| Groceries | $321 | $271 | +$50 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $14 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $87 | $75 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $172 | $82 | +$90 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Cork | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,895/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,564/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,155/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Cork | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,084/mo | -$416 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,445/mo | -$555 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,168/mo | -$832 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Cork vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 28% more affordable than Cork when combining rent and daily living costs. Cork's COL+Rent Index of 51.2 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 Cork costs $1,714/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $895/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,740 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Cork ($321/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.