Gothenburg vs Lyon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~8% 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
Lyon
France
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
21
Groceries
53
Restaurant
47.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Lyon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $932 | $113 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $666 | $22 |
| Groceries | $271 | $304 | $33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $15 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $63 | +$12 |
| Utilities | $82 | $146 | $64 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Lyon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,148/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $1,670/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,096/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Lyon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,634/mo | +$134 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,178/mo | +$178 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,268/mo | +$268 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Lyon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 8% more affordable than Lyon when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Lyon's 40.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $932/month in Lyon — giving Gothenburg a $113/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Lyon ($304/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $15 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.