Gothenburg vs Cebu
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cebu is ~58% 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
Cebu
Philippines
COL+Rent
15.5
Rent Index
5.3
Groceries
30.1
Restaurant
15.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Cebu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $201 | +$618 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $129 | +$515 |
| Groceries | $271 | $174 | +$97 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $4 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $8 | +$67 |
| Utilities | $82 | $65 | +$17 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Cebu |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $340/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $508/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $633/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Cebu | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $628/mo | -$872 |
| $2,000/mo | $838/mo | -$1,162 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,257/mo | -$1,743 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Cebu for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Cebu is approximately 58% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Cebu's 15.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $201/month in Cebu — giving Cebu a $618/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,416 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Cebu ($174/mo) reflect Cebu's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $4 show Cebu 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, Cebu offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $508 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.