Stockholm vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~27% 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
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $819 | +$630 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $644 | +$495 |
| Groceries | $339 | $271 | +$68 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $14 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $75 | +$18 |
| Utilities | $103 | $82 | +$21 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,088/mo | -$412 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,451/mo | -$549 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,176/mo | -$824 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 27% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 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 Stockholm costs $1,449/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $630/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,560 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 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.