Stockholm vs Hong Kong
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~26% 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
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
COL+Rent
69.2
Rent Index
63.1
Groceries
75.1
Restaurant
51.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Hong Kong | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $2,635 | $1,186 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $1,935 | $796 |
| Groceries | $339 | $470 | $131 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $11 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $66 | +$27 |
| Utilities | $103 | $183 | $80 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,557/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,519/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $4,173/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Hong Kong | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,035/mo | +$535 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,714/mo | +$714 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,071/mo | +$1,071 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Hong Kong for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 26% more affordable than Hong Kong when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Hong Kong's 69.2 (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 $2,635/month in Hong Kong — giving Stockholm a $1,186/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,232 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Hong Kong ($470/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $11 show Hong Kong 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, 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.