Sydney vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~27% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $1,449 | +$993 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,139 | +$683 |
| Groceries | $483 | $339 | +$144 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $17 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $93 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $171 | $103 | +$68 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,098/mo | -$402 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,463/mo | -$537 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,195/mo | -$805 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 27% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — 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 Sydney ($483/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $17 show Stockholm 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, 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.