Gothenburg vs Johor Bahru
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Johor Bahru is ~57% 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
Johor Bahru
Malaysia
COL+Rent
15.8
Rent Index
5.1
Groceries
32.8
Restaurant
17.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Johor Bahru | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $198 | +$621 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $132 | +$512 |
| Groceries | $271 | $176 | +$95 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $5 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $15 | +$60 |
| Utilities | $82 | $43 | +$39 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Johor Bahru |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $333/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $507/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $647/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Johor Bahru | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $641/mo | -$859 |
| $2,000/mo | $854/mo | -$1,146 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,281/mo | -$1,719 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Johor Bahru for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Johor Bahru is approximately 57% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Johor Bahru's 15.8 (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 $198/month in Johor Bahru — giving Johor Bahru a $621/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,452 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Johor Bahru ($176/mo) reflect Johor Bahru's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $5 show Johor Bahru 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, Johor Bahru offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $507 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.