Gothenburg vs Chennai
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Chennai is ~51% 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
Chennai
India
COL+Rent
18.1
Rent Index
10
Groceries
23.9
Restaurant
18
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Chennai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $286 | +$533 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $168 | +$476 |
| Groceries | $271 | $97 | +$174 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $5 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $11 | +$64 |
| Utilities | $82 | $30 | +$52 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Chennai |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $297/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $499/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $636/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Chennai | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $734/mo | -$766 |
| $2,000/mo | $978/mo | -$1,022 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,468/mo | -$1,532 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Chennai for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Chennai is approximately 51% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Chennai's 18.1 (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 Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $286/month in Chennai — giving Chennai a $533/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,396 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Chennai ($97/mo) reflect Chennai's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $5 show Chennai 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, Chennai offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $499 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.