Incheon vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Incheon is ~6% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Incheon
South Korea
COL+Rent
34.7
Rent Index
12.6
Groceries
71.3
Restaurant
31.4
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Incheon | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $534 | $819 | $285 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $386 | $644 | $258 |
| Groceries | $442 | $271 | +$171 |
| Restaurant Meal | $9 | $14 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $41 | $75 | $34 |
| Utilities | $117 | $82 | +$35 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Incheon | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $889/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,269/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,573/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Incheon | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,599/mo | +$99 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,133/mo | +$133 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,199/mo | +$199 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Incheon vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Incheon is approximately 6% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Incheon's COL+Rent Index of 34.7 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 Incheon costs $534/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Incheon a $285/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,420 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Incheon ($442/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $9 vs $14 show Incheon 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, Incheon offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,269 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.