Gothenburg vs Calgary
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~22% 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
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Calgary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,481 | $662 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,178 | $534 |
| Groceries | $271 | $353 | $82 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $19 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $79 | $4 |
| Utilities | $82 | $137 | $55 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,717/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,335/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Calgary | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,934/mo | +$434 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,578/mo | +$578 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,868/mo | +$868 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Calgary for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 22% more affordable than Calgary when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Calgary's 47.7 (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 Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $1,481/month in Calgary — giving Gothenburg a $662/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,944 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Calgary ($353/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $19 show Gothenburg 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, 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.