Stockholm vs Seattle
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~25% 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
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Seattle | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $2,553 | $1,104 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $2,001 | $862 |
| Groceries | $339 | $471 | $132 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $25 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $83 | +$10 |
| Utilities | $103 | $191 | $88 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,705/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,673/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $4,525/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,991/mo | +$491 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,655/mo | +$655 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,982/mo | +$982 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Seattle for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 25% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Seattle's 67.7 (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 $2,553/month in Seattle — giving Stockholm a $1,104/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,248 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Seattle ($471/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $25 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.