Vienna vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Gothenburg is ~33% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $819 | +$572 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $644 | +$424 |
| Groceries | $487 | $271 | +$216 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $14 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $75 | $13 |
| Utilities | $224 | $82 | +$142 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,004/mo | -$496 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,338/mo | -$662 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,007/mo | -$993 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Gothenburg is approximately 33% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Gothenburg a $572/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,864 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vienna ($487/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Gothenburg's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.