Paris 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
Paris
France
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
51
Groceries
78.3
Restaurant
81.5
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Paris | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,261 | $1,449 | +$812 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,617 | $1,139 | +$478 |
| Groceries | $449 | $339 | +$110 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $17 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $93 | +$1 |
| Utilities | $215 | $103 | +$112 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Paris | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,328/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,349/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,108/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Paris | ≈ 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: Paris vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 27% more affordable than Paris when combining rent and daily living costs. Paris'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 Paris costs $2,261/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $812/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,744 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Paris ($449/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.