Stockholm vs Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~22% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $2,318 | $869 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $1,822 | $683 |
| Groceries | $339 | $374 | $35 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $22 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $109 | $16 |
| Utilities | $103 | $210 | $107 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,491/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,341/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $4,094/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,926/mo | +$426 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,569/mo | +$569 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,853/mo | +$853 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Amsterdam for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 22% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Amsterdam's 65.5 (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 Stockholm costs $1,449/month versus $2,318/month in Amsterdam — giving Stockholm a $869/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,428 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Amsterdam ($374/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $22 show Stockholm is the better value for dining out. 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.