Stockholm vs Copenhagen
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~23% 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
Copenhagen
Denmark
COL+Rent
66.1
Rent Index
39
Groceries
85.8
Restaurant
115.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Copenhagen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $1,951 | $502 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $1,465 | $326 |
| Groceries | $339 | $543 | $204 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $33 | $16 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $71 | +$22 |
| Utilities | $103 | $216 | $113 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Copenhagen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,264/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,276/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $4,172/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Copenhagen | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,944/mo | +$444 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,592/mo | +$592 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,888/mo | +$888 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Copenhagen for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 23% more affordable than Copenhagen when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Copenhagen's 66.1 (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 $1,951/month in Copenhagen — giving Stockholm a $502/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,024 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Copenhagen ($543/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $33 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.