Cost of Living: Portugal vs Sweden
Portugal is 17% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Portugal wins on affordability
Portugal is roughly 17% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $173 per month, or about $2,076 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Portugal | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,177 | $1,315 | Portugal 10% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,592 | $1,765 | Portugal 10% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,794 | $1,999 | Portugal 10% 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 | Portugal | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $990 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $770 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $235 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $13 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $42 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $130 | $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 Portugal and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Portugal | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $32,416 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $48,623 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $64,831 | $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 Portugal
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Portugal only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Portugal vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Portugal
Net take-home pay calculator for Portugal.
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: Portugal vs Sweden
Is Portugal cheaper than Sweden?
Portugal is 17% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 36.5 for Portugal vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $1,464/month in Portugal.
What is the monthly budget difference between Portugal and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,592 in Portugal versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $173/month (10%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,794 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Portugal vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $990/month in Portugal and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $770 in Portugal 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 Portugal to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Portugal, you'd need roughly $90,411 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Portugal on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $62,216 net in Portugal. 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: $235 in Portugal vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $13 in Portugal vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.