Gothenburg vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~33% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,391 | $572 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $1,068 | $424 |
| Groceries | $271 | $487 | $216 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $20 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $62 | +$13 |
| Utilities | $82 | $224 | $142 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,242/mo | +$742 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,989/mo | +$989 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,484/mo | +$1,484 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 33% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Vienna's 55.3 (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 $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Gothenburg a $572/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,864 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $20 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.