London vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~49% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $819 | +$1,684 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $644 | +$1,316 |
| Groceries | $422 | $271 | +$151 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $14 | +$14 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $75 | +$38 |
| Utilities | $258 | $82 | +$176 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $761/mo | -$739 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,015/mo | -$985 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,523/mo | -$1,477 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 49% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 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 London costs $2,503/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $1,684/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,208 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 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.