Sydney vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~47% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $819 | +$1,623 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $644 | +$1,178 |
| Groceries | $483 | $271 | +$212 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $14 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $75 | +$39 |
| Utilities | $171 | $82 | +$89 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $796/mo | -$704 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,062/mo | -$938 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,593/mo | -$1,407 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 47% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $1,623/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $19,476 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $14 show Gothenburg 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, Gothenburg offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,457 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.