Seattle vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~25% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $1,449 | +$1,104 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $1,139 | +$862 |
| Groceries | $471 | $339 | +$132 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $17 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $93 | $10 |
| Utilities | $191 | $103 | +$88 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,130/mo | -$370 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,507/mo | -$493 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,260/mo | -$740 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 25% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 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 Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $1,104/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,248 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.