Milan vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~35% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $819 | +$979 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $644 | +$618 |
| Groceries | $372 | $271 | +$101 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $14 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $75 | $33 |
| Utilities | $239 | $82 | +$157 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $974/mo | -$526 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,298/mo | -$702 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,947/mo | -$1,053 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 35% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $979/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,748 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 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.