Cost of Living: Sweden vs India
Sweden is 142% more expensive than India overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: India wins on affordability
India is roughly 142% 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 | Sweden | India | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $307 | India 328% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $497 | India 255% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $574 | India 248% 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 | India |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $280 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $165 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $95 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $5 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $12 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $35 |
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 India to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in India |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $16,163 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $24,245 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $32,327 |
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 India
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for India only.
Sweden vs India 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 India
Net take-home pay calculator for India.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs India
Is Sweden cheaper than India?
Sweden is 142% more expensive than India. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 18.2 for India. In practical terms, a $497/month lifestyle in India can be matched for roughly $1,202/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and India?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $497 in India — a difference of $1,268/month (255%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $574.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs India?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $280/month in India. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $165 in India. 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 India?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $31,023 net in India to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from India to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $181,319 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 $95 in India. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $5 in India. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.