Cost of Living: Sweden vs Hong Kong
Sweden is 37% cheaper than Hong Kong overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Sweden wins on affordability
Sweden is roughly 37% cheaper than Hong Kong on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $1,793 per month, or about $21,516 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Sweden | Hong Kong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $2,693 | Sweden 51% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $3,558 | Sweden 50% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $3,807 | Sweden 47% 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 | Sweden | Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $2,635 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $1,935 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $470 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $11 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $73 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $215 |
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 Sweden and Hong Kong to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in Hong Kong |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $61,989 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $92,984 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $123,979 |
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 Sweden
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Sweden only.
Cost of Living in Hong Kong
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Hong Kong only.
Sweden vs Hong Kong Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Sweden
Net take-home pay calculator for Sweden.
Salary After Tax in Hong Kong
Net take-home pay calculator for Hong Kong.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs Hong Kong
Is Sweden cheaper than Hong Kong?
Sweden is 37% cheaper than Hong Kong. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 69.8 for Hong Kong. In practical terms, a $3,558/month lifestyle in Hong Kong can be matched for roughly $2,243/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and Hong Kong?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $3,558 in Hong Kong — a difference of $1,793/month (50%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $3,807.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs Hong Kong?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $2,635/month in Hong Kong. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $1,935 in Hong Kong. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Sweden to Hong Kong?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $118,977 net in Hong Kong to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Hong Kong to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $47,278 net in Sweden. 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: $295 in Sweden vs $470 in Hong Kong. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $11 in Hong Kong. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.