Vancouver vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~41% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vancouver
Canada
COL+Rent
63.1
Rent Index
51.8
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
75.2
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vancouver | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,286 | $819 | +$1,467 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,818 | $644 | +$1,174 |
| Groceries | $425 | $271 | +$154 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $14 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $96 | $75 | +$21 |
| Utilities | $165 | $82 | +$83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vancouver | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,465/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $3,302/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,060/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vancouver | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $880/mo | -$620 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,173/mo | -$827 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,759/mo | -$1,241 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vancouver vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 41% more affordable than Vancouver when combining rent and daily living costs. Vancouver's COL+Rent Index of 63.1 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 Vancouver costs $2,286/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $1,467/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,604 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vancouver ($425/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.