Cost of Living: India vs Sweden
India is 59% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: India wins on affordability
India is roughly 59% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $1,268 per month, or about $15,216 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | India | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $307 | $1,315 | India 77% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $497 | $1,765 | India 72% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $574 | $1,999 | India 71% 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 | India | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $280 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $165 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $95 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $5 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $12 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $35 | $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 India and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in India | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $16,163 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $24,245 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $32,327 | $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 India
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for India only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
India vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in India
Net take-home pay calculator for India.
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: India vs Sweden
Is India cheaper than Sweden?
India is 59% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 18.2 for India vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $730/month in India.
What is the monthly budget difference between India and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $497 in India versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $1,268/month (72%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $574 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in India vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $280/month in India and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $165 in India 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 India to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in India, you'd need roughly $181,319 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to India on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $31,023 net in India. 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: $95 in India vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $5 in India vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.