Stockholm vs Busan
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Busan is ~38% 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
Busan
South Korea
COL+Rent
31.5
Rent Index
10.5
Groceries
65.9
Restaurant
28.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Busan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $445 | +$1,004 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $322 | +$817 |
| Groceries | $339 | $408 | $69 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $9 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $38 | +$55 |
| Utilities | $103 | $108 | $5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Busan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $790/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $1,134/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $1,417/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Busan | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $926/mo | -$574 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,235/mo | -$765 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,853/mo | -$1,147 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Busan for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Busan is approximately 38% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Busan's 31.5 (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 $445/month in Busan — giving Busan a $1,004/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,048 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Busan ($408/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $9 show Busan 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, Busan offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,134 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.