Cost of Living: Sweden vs United States
Sweden is 22% cheaper than United States 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 United States on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $1,100 per month, or about $13,200 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Sweden | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,315 | $2,135 | Sweden 38% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,765 | $2,865 | Sweden 38% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,999 | $3,207 | Sweden 38% 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 | United States |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $1,050 | $1,850 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $825 | $1,450 |
Groceries (monthly) | $295 | $410 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $15 | $22 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $90 | $80 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $195 |
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 United States to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Sweden | Needed in United States |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $39,076 | $50,000 |
| $75,000/yr | $58,615 | $75,000 |
| $100,000/yr | $78,153 | $100,000 |
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 United States
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for United States only.
Sweden vs United States 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 United States
Net take-home pay calculator for United States.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sweden vs United States
Is Sweden cheaper than United States?
Sweden is 22% cheaper than United States. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 44.0 for Sweden vs 56.3 for United States. In practical terms, a $2,865/month lifestyle in United States can be matched for roughly $2,239/month in Sweden.
What is the monthly budget difference between Sweden and United States?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,765 in Sweden versus $2,865 in United States — a difference of $1,100/month (38%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,999 vs $3,207.
How does rent compare in Sweden vs United States?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $1,050/month in Sweden and $1,850/month in United States. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $825 in Sweden and $1,450 in United States. 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 United States?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Sweden, you'd need roughly $95,966 net in United States to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from United States to Sweden on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $58,615 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 $410 in United States. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $15 in Sweden vs $22 in United States. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.