Hong Kong vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~47% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
COL+Rent
69.2
Rent Index
63.1
Groceries
75.1
Restaurant
51.1
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hong Kong | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,635 | $819 | +$1,816 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,935 | $644 | +$1,291 |
| Groceries | $470 | $271 | +$199 |
| Restaurant Meal | $11 | $14 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $66 | $75 | $9 |
| Utilities | $183 | $82 | +$101 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hong Kong | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,557/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $3,519/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,173/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hong Kong | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $802/mo | -$698 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,069/mo | -$931 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,604/mo | -$1,396 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hong Kong vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 47% more affordable than Hong Kong when combining rent and daily living costs. Hong Kong's COL+Rent Index of 69.2 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Hong Kong costs $2,635/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $1,816/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $21,792 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Hong Kong ($470/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $11 vs $14 show Gothenburg offers cheaper dining. 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.