Jeddah vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~23% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Jeddah | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $455 | $756 | $301 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $320 | $594 | $274 |
| Groceries | $276 | $260 | +$16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $13 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $29 | $71 | $42 |
| Utilities | $73 | $79 | $6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Jeddah | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $663/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $1,013/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,316/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Jeddah | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,950/mo | +$450 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,600/mo | +$600 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,900/mo | +$900 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Jeddah vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 23% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Jeddah's COL+Rent Index of 27 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 Jeddah costs $455/month versus $756/month in Malmö — giving Jeddah a $301/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,612 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Jeddah ($276/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 vs $13 show Jeddah 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, Jeddah offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,013 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.