New York vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~55% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
New York
United States
COL+Rent
82.5
Rent Index
70
Groceries
98.7
Restaurant
105.2
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | New York | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,182 | $819 | +$2,363 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,494 | $644 | +$1,850 |
| Groceries | $566 | $271 | +$295 |
| Restaurant Meal | $30 | $14 | +$16 |
| Transit Pass | $99 | $75 | +$24 |
| Utilities | $229 | $82 | +$147 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | New York | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,338/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $4,526/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,567/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in New York | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $673/mo | -$827 |
| $2,000/mo | $897/mo | -$1,103 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,345/mo | -$1,655 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: New York vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 55% more affordable than New York when combining rent and daily living costs. New York's COL+Rent Index of 82.5 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 New York costs $3,182/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $2,363/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $28,356 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in New York ($566/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $30 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.