Gothenburg vs Bangkok
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bangkok is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Bangkok
Thailand
COL+Rent
33.3
Rent Index
20.2
Groceries
54.2
Restaurant
32.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Bangkok | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $689 | +$130 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $435 | +$209 |
| Groceries | $271 | $317 | $46 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $6 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $35 | +$40 |
| Utilities | $82 | $93 | $11 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Bangkok |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $809/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $1,224/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $1,481/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Bangkok | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,350/mo | -$150 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,800/mo | -$200 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,700/mo | -$300 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Bangkok for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bangkok is approximately 10% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Bangkok's 33.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $689/month in Bangkok — giving Bangkok a $130/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Bangkok ($317/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $6 show Bangkok 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, Bangkok offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,224 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.