Gothenburg vs Tokyo
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~11% 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
Tokyo
Japan
COL+Rent
41.5
Rent Index
22.3
Groceries
61.4
Restaurant
47.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Tokyo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $988 | $169 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $638 | +$6 |
| Groceries | $271 | $354 | $83 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $10 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $71 | +$4 |
| Utilities | $82 | $202 | $120 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,199/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $1,765/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,134/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Tokyo | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,682/mo | +$182 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,243/mo | +$243 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,365/mo | +$365 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Tokyo for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 11% more affordable than Tokyo when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Tokyo's 41.5 (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 $988/month in Tokyo — giving Gothenburg a $169/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 Tokyo ($354/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $10 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.