Lisbon vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~16% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $819 | +$518 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $644 | +$396 |
| Groceries | $277 | $271 | +$6 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $14 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $75 | $30 |
| Utilities | $130 | $82 | +$48 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,267/mo | -$233 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,689/mo | -$311 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,534/mo | -$466 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 16% more affordable than Lisbon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 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 Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $518/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,216 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 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.