Cost of Living: Sweden vs Saudi Arabia
Sweden is 45% more expensive than Saudi Arabia overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Saudi Arabia wins on affordability
Saudi Arabia is roughly 45% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $651 per month, or about $7,812 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Sweden | Saudi Arabia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $769 | Saudi Arabia 71% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $1,114 | Saudi Arabia 58% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $1,326 | Saudi Arabia 51% 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 | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $505 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $355 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $290 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $13 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $34 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $90 |
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 Saudi Arabia to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $26,998 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $40,497 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $53,996 |
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 Saudi Arabia
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Saudi Arabia only.
Sweden vs Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia
Net take-home pay calculator for Saudi Arabia.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs Saudi Arabia
Is Sweden cheaper than Saudi Arabia?
Sweden is 45% more expensive than Saudi Arabia. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 30.4 for Saudi Arabia. In practical terms, a $1,114/month lifestyle in Saudi Arabia can be matched for roughly $1,612/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and Saudi Arabia?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $1,114 in Saudi Arabia — a difference of $651/month (58%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $1,326.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs Saudi Arabia?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $505/month in Saudi Arabia. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $355 in Saudi Arabia. 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 Saudi Arabia?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $51,818 net in Saudi Arabia to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Saudi Arabia to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $108,553 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 $290 in Saudi Arabia. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $13 in Saudi Arabia. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.