Milan vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~11% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $1,449 | +$349 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $1,139 | +$123 |
| Groceries | $372 | $339 | +$33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $17 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $93 | $51 |
| Utilities | $239 | $103 | +$136 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,342/mo | -$158 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,789/mo | -$211 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,684/mo | -$316 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 11% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $349/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,188 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 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.