Gothenburg vs Cork
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~28% 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
Cork
Ireland
COL+Rent
51.2
Rent Index
40.5
Groceries
56.7
Restaurant
54.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Cork | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,714 | $895 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,339 | $695 |
| Groceries | $271 | $321 | $50 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $18 | $4 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $87 | $12 |
| Utilities | $82 | $172 | $90 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Cork |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,895/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,564/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $3,155/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Cork | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,076/mo | +$576 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,768/mo | +$768 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,151/mo | +$1,151 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Cork for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 28% more affordable than Cork when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Cork's 51.2 (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 $1,714/month in Cork — giving Gothenburg a $895/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,740 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Cork ($321/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $18 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.