Gothenburg vs Seattle
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~45% 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
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $2,553 | $1,734 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $2,001 | $1,357 |
| Groceries | $271 | $471 | $200 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $25 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $83 | $8 |
| Utilities | $82 | $191 | $109 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $2,705/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $3,673/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $4,525/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,745/mo | +$1,245 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,659/mo | +$1,659 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,489/mo | +$2,489 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Seattle for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 45% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Seattle's 67.7 (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 $2,553/month in Seattle — giving Gothenburg a $1,734/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,808 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Seattle ($471/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $25 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.