Malmö vs Jeddah
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Jeddah is ~23% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Jeddah
Saudi Arabia
COL+Rent
27
Rent Index
12.2
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
32.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Jeddah | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $455 | +$301 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $320 | +$274 |
| Groceries | $260 | $276 | $16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $12 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $29 | +$42 |
| Utilities | $79 | $73 | +$6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Jeddah |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $663/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $1,013/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $1,316/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Jeddah | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,154/mo | -$346 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,538/mo | -$462 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,308/mo | -$692 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Jeddah for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Jeddah is approximately 23% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 vs Jeddah's 27 (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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $455/month in Jeddah — 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 Malmö ($260/mo) vs Jeddah ($276/mo) reflect Jeddah's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 vs $12 show Jeddah 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, 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.