Galway vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~21% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Galway
Ireland
COL+Rent
47.1
Rent Index
36.5
Groceries
52.8
Restaurant
50.5
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Galway | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,547 | $819 | +$728 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,209 | $644 | +$565 |
| Groceries | $299 | $271 | +$28 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $14 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $81 | $75 | +$6 |
| Utilities | $160 | $82 | +$78 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Galway | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,727/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,342/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,889/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Galway | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,178/mo | -$322 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,571/mo | -$429 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,357/mo | -$643 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Galway vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 21% more affordable than Galway when combining rent and daily living costs. Galway's COL+Rent Index of 47.1 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 Galway costs $1,547/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $728/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,736 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Galway ($299/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 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.