Gothenburg vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~35% 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
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,998 | $1,179 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,566 | $922 |
| Groceries | $271 | $418 | $147 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $22 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $73 | +$2 |
| Utilities | $82 | $169 | $87 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $2,189/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,988/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $3,701/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,315/mo | +$815 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,086/mo | +$1,086 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,630/mo | +$1,630 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Chicago for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 35% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Chicago's 57.1 (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 $1,998/month in Chicago — giving Gothenburg a $1,179/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,148 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Chicago ($418/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $22 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.