Cost of Living: Norway vs Sweden
Norway is 35% more expensive than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Sweden wins on affordability
Sweden is roughly 35% cheaper than Norway on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $890 per month, or about $10,680 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Norway | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,945 | $1,315 | Sweden 48% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $2,655 | $1,765 | Sweden 50% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $3,046 | $1,999 | Sweden 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 | Norway | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,480 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $1,130 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $525 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $24 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $200 | $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 Norway and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Norway | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $52,753 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $79,130 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $105,506 | $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 Norway
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Norway only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Norway vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Norway
Net take-home pay calculator for Norway.
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: Norway vs Sweden
Is Norway cheaper than Sweden?
Norway is 35% more expensive than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 59.4 for Norway vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $2,383/month in Norway.
What is the monthly budget difference between Norway and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $2,655 in Norway versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $890/month (50%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $3,046 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Norway vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,480/month in Norway and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $1,130 in Norway 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 Norway to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Norway, you'd need roughly $55,556 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Norway on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $101,250 net in Norway. 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: $525 in Norway vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $24 in Norway vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.