Seoul vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~25% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seoul
South Korea
COL+Rent
49.5
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
94.6
Restaurant
46.5
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seoul | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,014 | $819 | +$195 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $733 | $644 | +$89 |
| Groceries | $586 | $271 | +$315 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $14 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $55 | $75 | $20 |
| Utilities | $156 | $82 | +$74 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seoul | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,402/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,991/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,440/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seoul | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,121/mo | -$379 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,495/mo | -$505 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,242/mo | -$758 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seoul vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 25% more affordable than Seoul when combining rent and daily living costs. Seoul's COL+Rent Index of 49.5 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 Seoul costs $1,014/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $195/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seoul ($586/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 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.