Gothenburg vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~49% 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
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $2,503 | $1,684 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,960 | $1,316 |
| Groceries | $271 | $422 | $151 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $28 | $14 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $113 | $38 |
| Utilities | $82 | $258 | $176 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,955/mo | +$1,455 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,941/mo | +$1,941 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,911/mo | +$2,911 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 49% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs London's 72.9 (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 $2,503/month in London — giving Gothenburg a $1,684/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,208 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $28 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.