Cost of Living: Colombia vs Sweden
Colombia is 49% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Colombia wins on affordability
Colombia is roughly 49% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $937 per month, or about $11,244 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Colombia | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $568 | $1,315 | Colombia 57% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $828 | $1,765 | Colombia 53% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $967 | $1,999 | Colombia 52% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Colombia | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $405 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $265 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $215 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $8 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $33 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $55 | $105 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Colombia and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Colombia | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $19,893 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $29,840 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $39,787 | $78,153 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Colombia
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Colombia only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Colombia vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Colombia
Net take-home pay calculator for Colombia.
Salary After Tax in Sweden
Net take-home pay calculator for Sweden.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colombia vs Sweden
Is Colombia cheaper than Sweden?
Colombia is 49% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 22.4 for Colombia vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $899/month in Colombia.
What is the monthly budget difference between Colombia and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $828 in Colombia versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $937/month (53%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $967 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Colombia vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $405/month in Colombia and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $265 in Colombia and $825 in Sweden. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Colombia to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Colombia, you'd need roughly $147,321 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Colombia on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $38,182 net in Colombia. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $215 in Colombia vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $8 in Colombia vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.