Gothenburg vs Warsaw
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~8% 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
Warsaw
Poland
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
24.8
Groceries
48.5
Restaurant
59.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Warsaw | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $1,107 | $288 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $797 | $153 |
| Groceries | $271 | $283 | $12 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $17 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $37 | +$38 |
| Utilities | $82 | $201 | $119 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Warsaw |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $1,301/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $1,883/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $2,361/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Warsaw | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,634/mo | +$134 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,178/mo | +$178 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,268/mo | +$268 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Warsaw for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 8% more affordable than Warsaw when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Warsaw's 40.3 (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 $1,107/month in Warsaw — giving Gothenburg a $288/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,456 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Warsaw ($283/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.