Heraklion vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Heraklion is ~29% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Heraklion
Greece
COL+Rent
26.4
Rent Index
8.5
Groceries
41.8
Restaurant
45
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Heraklion | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $335 | $819 | $484 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $242 | $644 | $402 |
| Groceries | $258 | $271 | $13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16 | $14 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $25 | $75 | $50 |
| Utilities | $132 | $82 | +$50 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Heraklion | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $644/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $990/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,332/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Heraklion | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,102/mo | +$602 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,803/mo | +$803 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,205/mo | +$1,205 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Heraklion vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Heraklion is approximately 29% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Heraklion's COL+Rent Index of 26.4 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 Heraklion costs $335/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Heraklion a $484/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,808 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Heraklion ($258/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Heraklion's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $16 vs $14 show comparable dining costs. 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, Heraklion offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $990 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.