Gothenburg vs Heraklion
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Heraklion is ~29% 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
Heraklion
Greece
COL+Rent
26.4
Rent Index
8.5
Groceries
41.8
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Heraklion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $335 | +$484 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $242 | +$402 |
| Groceries | $271 | $258 | +$13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $16 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $25 | +$50 |
| Utilities | $82 | $132 | $50 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Heraklion |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $644/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $990/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $1,332/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Heraklion | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,070/mo | -$430 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,427/mo | -$573 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,141/mo | -$859 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Heraklion for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Heraklion is approximately 29% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Heraklion's 26.4 (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 $335/month in Heraklion — giving Heraklion a $484/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,808 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Heraklion ($258/mo) reflect Heraklion's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $16 show comparable dining costs. 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, Heraklion offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $990 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.