Los Angeles vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~27% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Los Angeles | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,627 | $1,449 | +$1,178 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,059 | $1,139 | +$920 |
| Groceries | $484 | $339 | +$145 |
| Restaurant Meal | $26 | $17 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $85 | $93 | $8 |
| Utilities | $196 | $103 | +$93 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Los Angeles | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,783/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,782/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,663/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Los Angeles | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,101/mo | -$399 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,468/mo | -$532 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,201/mo | -$799 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Los Angeles vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 27% more affordable than Los Angeles when combining rent and daily living costs. Los Angeles's COL+Rent Index of 69.5 vs Stockholm's 51 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Los Angeles costs $2,627/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $1,178/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,136 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Los Angeles ($484/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $26 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.