Cost of Living: Sweden vs South Korea
Sweden is 7% more expensive than South Korea overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: South Korea wins on affordability
South Korea is roughly 7% cheaper than Sweden on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $250 per month, or about $3,000 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Sweden | South Korea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $1,175 | South Korea 12% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $1,515 | South Korea 17% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $1,750 | South Korea 14% 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 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $685 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $495 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $480 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $10 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $50 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $150 |
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 South Korea to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $36,679 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $55,018 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $73,357 |
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 South Korea
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for South Korea only.
Sweden vs South Korea 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 South Korea
Net take-home pay calculator for South Korea.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs South Korea
Is Sweden cheaper than South Korea?
Sweden is 7% more expensive than South Korea. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 41.3 for South Korea. In practical terms, a $1,515/month lifestyle in South Korea can be matched for roughly $1,614/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and South Korea?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $1,515 in South Korea — a difference of $250/month (17%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $1,750.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs South Korea?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $685/month in South Korea. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $495 in South Korea. 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 South Korea?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $70,398 net in South Korea to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from South Korea to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $79,903 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 $480 in South Korea. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $10 in South Korea. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.