Gothenburg vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~27% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,449 | $630 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,139 | $495 |
| Groceries | $271 | $339 | $68 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $17 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $93 | $18 |
| Utilities | $82 | $103 | $21 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,068/mo | +$568 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,757/mo | +$757 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,135/mo | +$1,135 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 27% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Stockholm's 51 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Gothenburg a $630/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,560 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/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.