London vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~30% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $1,449 | +$1,054 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $1,139 | +$821 |
| Groceries | $422 | $339 | +$83 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $17 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $93 | +$20 |
| Utilities | $258 | $103 | +$155 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,049/mo | -$451 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,399/mo | -$601 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,099/mo | -$901 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 30% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $1,054/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,648 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $17 show Stockholm 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, Stockholm offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,239 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.