Stockholm vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $2,442 | $993 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $1,822 | $683 |
| Groceries | $339 | $483 | $144 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $25 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $114 | $21 |
| Utilities | $103 | $171 | $68 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,050/mo | +$550 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,733/mo | +$733 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,100/mo | +$1,100 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 27% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 vs Sydney's 69.7 (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 $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Stockholm a $993/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,916 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Sydney ($483/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.