Stockholm vs Melbourne
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~18% 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
Melbourne
Australia
COL+Rent
61.9
Rent Index
46.6
Groceries
79.3
Restaurant
69.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Melbourne | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $2,072 | $623 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $1,546 | $407 |
| Groceries | $339 | $441 | $102 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $23 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $104 | $11 |
| Utilities | $103 | $156 | $53 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,207/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,118/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $3,862/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Melbourne | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,821/mo | +$321 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,427/mo | +$427 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,641/mo | +$641 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Melbourne for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 18% more affordable than Melbourne when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Melbourne's 61.9 (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 $2,072/month in Melbourne — giving Stockholm a $623/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,476 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Melbourne ($441/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $23 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.