Gothenburg vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~47% 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
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $2,627 | $1,808 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $2,059 | $1,415 |
| Groceries | $271 | $484 | $213 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $26 | $12 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $85 | $10 |
| Utilities | $82 | $196 | $114 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $2,783/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $3,782/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $4,663/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,818/mo | +$1,318 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,757/mo | +$1,757 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,635/mo | +$2,635 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Los Angeles for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 47% more affordable than Los Angeles when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Los Angeles's 69.5 (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 $2,627/month in Los Angeles — giving Gothenburg a $1,808/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $21,696 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Los Angeles ($484/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $26 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.