Stockholm vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Malmö is ~31% 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
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $756 | +$693 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $594 | +$545 |
| Groceries | $339 | $260 | +$79 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $13 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $71 | +$22 |
| Utilities | $103 | $79 | +$24 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,032/mo | -$468 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,376/mo | -$624 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,065/mo | -$935 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Malmö is approximately 31% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmö — giving Malmö a $693/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,316 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Malmö's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $13 show Malmö 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, Malmö offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,361 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.