City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Stockholm vs Chicago — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Stockholm
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 51 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Stockholm.
Chicago
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 57.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chicago.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Stockholm | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,905 | $2,997 | $92 |
| Groceries | $761 | $703 | +$58 |
| Dining Out | $458 | $444 | +$14 |
| Transportation | $209 | $123 | +$86 |
| Utilities | $231 | $284 | $53 |
| Other / Misc | $436 | $449 | $13 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Stockholm
$5,000
per month
Chicago equivalent
$5,598
per month
You'd need $5,598/mo in Chicago to match $5,000/mo in Stockholm.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Stockholm on $5,000/month?
Living in Stockholm on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,905 to rent, $761 to groceries, $458 to dining.
Can I live in Chicago on $5,000/month?
In Chicago, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,997 rent, $703 groceries, $444 dining.
Is Stockholm or Chicago cheaper?
Stockholm is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Stockholm 51 vs Chicago 57.1 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Stockholm worth in Chicago?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Stockholm equals ~$5,598/mo in Chicago using COL adjustment.