Gothenburg vs Izmir
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Izmir is ~45% 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
Izmir
Turkey
COL+Rent
20.2
Rent Index
8.2
Groceries
32.1
Restaurant
28.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Izmir | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $344 | +$475 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $226 | +$418 |
| Groceries | $271 | $205 | +$66 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $8 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $20 | +$55 |
| Utilities | $82 | $49 | +$33 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Izmir |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $471/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $738/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $951/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Izmir | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $819/mo | -$681 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,092/mo | -$908 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,638/mo | -$1,362 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Izmir for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Izmir is approximately 45% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Izmir's 20.2 (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 $344/month in Izmir — giving Izmir a $475/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,700 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Izmir ($205/mo) reflect Izmir's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $8 show Izmir 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, Izmir offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $738 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.