Gothenburg vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~17% 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
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,369 | $550 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,088 | $444 |
| Groceries | $271 | $331 | $60 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $17 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $75 | $0 |
| Utilities | $82 | $129 | $47 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,804/mo | +$304 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,405/mo | +$405 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,608/mo | +$608 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 17% more affordable than Montreal when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Montreal's 44.5 (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 $1,369/month in Montreal — giving Gothenburg a $550/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,600 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $17 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.