Gothenburg vs The Hague
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
The Hague
Netherlands
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
34.8
Groceries
55.8
Restaurant
57.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | The Hague | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,546 | $727 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,214 | $570 |
| Groceries | $271 | $319 | $48 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $19 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $93 | $18 |
| Utilities | $82 | $179 | $97 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | The Hague |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,785/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,422/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $3,003/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in The Hague | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,064/mo | +$564 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,751/mo | +$751 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,127/mo | +$1,127 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs The Hague for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 27% more affordable than The Hague when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs The Hague's 50.9 (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 $1,546/month in The Hague — giving Gothenburg a $727/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,724 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs The Hague ($319/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $19 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.