Cost of Living: Sweden vs Netherlands
Sweden is 22% cheaper than Netherlands overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Sweden wins on affordability
Sweden is roughly 22% cheaper than Netherlands on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $845 per month, or about $10,140 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Sweden | Netherlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $1,965 | Sweden 33% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $2,610 | Sweden 32% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $2,903 | Sweden 31% 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 | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $1,680 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $1,320 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $325 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $19 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $105 |
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 Netherlands to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $50,266 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $75,400 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $100,533 |
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 Netherlands
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Netherlands only.
Sweden vs Netherlands 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 Netherlands
Net take-home pay calculator for Netherlands.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs Netherlands
Is Sweden cheaper than Netherlands?
Sweden is 22% cheaper than Netherlands. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 56.6 for Netherlands. In practical terms, a $2,610/month lifestyle in Netherlands can be matched for roughly $2,029/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and Netherlands?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $2,610 in Netherlands — a difference of $845/month (32%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $2,903.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs Netherlands?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $1,680/month in Netherlands. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $1,320 in Netherlands. 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 Netherlands?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $96,477 net in Netherlands to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Netherlands to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $58,304 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 $325 in Netherlands. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $19 in Netherlands. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.