Delhi vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Delhi is ~41% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Delhi
India
COL+Rent
20.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
26.2
Restaurant
20.4
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Delhi | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $350 | $756 | $406 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $206 | $594 | $388 |
| Groceries | $106 | $260 | $154 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $13 | $7 |
| Transit Pass | $12 | $71 | $59 |
| Utilities | $33 | $79 | $46 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Delhi | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $349/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $591/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $755/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Delhi | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,556/mo | +$1,056 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,408/mo | +$1,408 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,112/mo | +$2,112 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Delhi vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Delhi is approximately 41% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Delhi's COL+Rent Index of 20.6 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 Delhi costs $350/month versus $756/month in Malmö — giving Delhi a $406/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,872 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Delhi ($106/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $13 show Delhi 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, Delhi offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $591 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.