Cost of Living: Spain vs Sweden
Spain is 14% cheaper than Sweden overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Spain wins on affordability
Spain is roughly 14% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $190 per month, or about $2,280 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Spain | Sweden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,145 | $1,315 | Spain 13% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,575 | $1,765 | Spain 11% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,792 | $1,999 | Spain 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 | Spain | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $940 | $1,050 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $720 | $825 |
Groceries (monthly) | $250 | $295 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $14 | $15 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $35 | $90 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $140 | $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 Spain and Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Spain | Needed in Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $33,748 | $39,076 |
| $75,000/yr | $50,622 | $58,615 |
| $100,000/yr | $67,496 | $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 Spain
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Spain only.
Cost of Living in Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Spain vs Sweden Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Spain
Net take-home pay calculator for Spain.
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: Spain vs Sweden
Is Spain cheaper than Sweden?
Spain is 14% cheaper than Sweden. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 38.0 for Spain vs 44.0 for Sweden. In practical terms, a $1,765/month lifestyle in Sweden can be matched for roughly $1,524/month in Spain.
What is the monthly budget difference between Spain and Sweden?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,575 in Spain versus $1,765 in Sweden — a difference of $190/month (11%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,792 vs $1,999.
How does rent compare in Spain vs Sweden?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $940/month in Spain and $1,050/month in Sweden. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $720 in Spain 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 Spain to Sweden?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Spain, you'd need roughly $86,842 net in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Sweden to Spain on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $64,773 net in Spain. 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: $250 in Spain vs $295 in Sweden. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $14 in Spain vs $15 in Sweden. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.