Tampere vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Tampere
Finland
COL+Rent
36.8
Rent Index
14.9
Groceries
58.4
Restaurant
59.2
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Tampere | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $680 | $819 | $139 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $544 | $644 | $100 |
| Groceries | $357 | $271 | +$86 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16 | $14 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $60 | $75 | $15 |
| Utilities | $69 | $82 | $13 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Tampere | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $987/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $1,406/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,819/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Tampere | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,508/mo | +$8 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,011/mo | +$11 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,016/mo | +$16 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Tampere vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Tampere and Gothenburg are remarkably close in overall cost, with less than 2% difference in their combined COL+Rent indices. Tampere's COL+Rent Index of 36.8 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Tampere costs $680/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Tampere a $139/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Tampere ($357/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $16 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, Tampere offers similar value to its counterpart, so your choice should weigh factors like climate, visa accessibility, internet speed, and community. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.