Cost of Living in Sweden 2026: City-by-City Breakdown
Complete guide to living costs in Sweden for 2026. Compare expenses in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Uppsala with real monthly budgets for singles and families.
Cost of Living in Sweden 2026: City-by-City Breakdown
Moving to Sweden? Understanding the real cost of living is essential for planning your budget. This comprehensive guide breaks down expenses across Sweden's major cities with actual 2026 prices.
Quick Overview: Monthly Costs in Sweden
Here's what a single person typically spends per month in Sweden:
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom) | 8,000 SEK | 12,000 SEK | 16,000 SEK |
| Groceries | 3,000 SEK | 4,000 SEK | 5,500 SEK |
| Transport | 950 SEK | 1,060 SEK | 1,500 SEK |
| Utilities | 500 SEK | 800 SEK | 1,200 SEK |
| Phone + Internet | 400 SEK | 600 SEK | 800 SEK |
| Entertainment | 1,000 SEK | 2,000 SEK | 3,500 SEK |
| Total | 13,850 SEK | 20,460 SEK | 28,500 SEK |
That's roughly 1,200-2,500 EUR or 1,300-2,700 USD per month excluding rent in the mid-range category.
Stockholm: The Most Expensive City
As the capital and largest city, Stockholm has the highest living costs in Sweden. However, salaries are also typically 10-20% higher than the national average.
Rent in Stockholm (2026)
| Apartment Type | First-hand | Second-hand | New Build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 6,000-9,000 | 9,000-13,000 | 12,000-16,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 8,000-12,000 | 12,000-16,000 | 15,000-20,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 10,000-15,000 | 15,000-22,000 | 20,000-28,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 12,000-18,000 | 18,000-28,000 | 25,000-35,000 |
All prices in SEK per month
First-hand contracts (förstahandskontrakt) are rent-controlled and significantly cheaper, but queues are 8-15 years through Bostadsförmedlingen.
Second-hand rentals (andrahandskontrakt) are market-rate and more available but more expensive.
Stockholm Monthly Budget Examples
Single Professional (comfortable lifestyle):
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, Södermalm) | 14,000 SEK |
| SL Monthly Card | 1,060 SEK |
| Groceries | 4,000 SEK |
| Utilities | 800 SEK |
| Phone | 350 SEK |
| Internet | 350 SEK |
| Gym (SATS) | 500 SEK |
| Restaurants/Bars | 2,500 SEK |
| Savings | 4,000 SEK |
| Total | 27,560 SEK |
Couple (shared expenses):
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed, Kungsholmen) | 18,000 SEK |
| SL Monthly Cards (x2) | 2,120 SEK |
| Groceries | 6,500 SEK |
| Utilities | 1,000 SEK |
| Phone (x2) | 600 SEK |
| Internet | 400 SEK |
| Entertainment | 3,000 SEK |
| Savings | 6,000 SEK |
| Total | 37,620 SEK |
| Per person | 18,810 SEK |
Stockholm Neighborhoods by Cost
| Area | Vibe | Rent Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Östermalm | Upscale, classic | $$$$$ | Established professionals |
| Vasastan | Trendy, central | $$$$ | Young professionals |
| Södermalm | Hipster, creative | $$$$ | Creatives, nightlife lovers |
| Kungsholmen | Family-friendly | $$$ | Families, quieter life |
| Hammarbyhöjden | Modern, new builds | $$$ | New arrivals |
| Solna/Sundbyberg | Suburban, practical | $$ | Budget-conscious |
Gothenburg: Best Value Big City
Sweden's second-largest city offers a more affordable lifestyle while still providing big-city amenities. The tech and automotive industries offer competitive salaries.
Rent in Gothenburg (2026)
| Apartment Type | First-hand | Second-hand |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 5,000-7,500 | 7,500-10,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 6,500-9,500 | 9,500-13,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 8,000-12,000 | 12,000-17,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 10,000-15,000 | 15,000-22,000 |
Savings vs Stockholm: Expect to pay 15-25% less for similar housing.
Gothenburg Monthly Budget
Single Professional:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, Majorna) | 10,500 SEK |
| Västtrafik Monthly | 895 SEK |
| Groceries | 3,800 SEK |
| Utilities | 700 SEK |
| Phone + Internet | 600 SEK |
| Entertainment | 2,000 SEK |
| Savings | 3,500 SEK |
| Total | 21,995 SEK |
Gothenburg Neighborhoods
| Area | Character | Rent Level |
|---|---|---|
| Haga | Historic, charming | $$$ |
| Majorna/Linné | Trendy, restaurants | $$$ |
| Vasastan | Central, student area | $$ |
| Örgryte | Residential, green | $$ |
| Hisingen | Affordable, developing | $ |
Malmö: Southern Charm, Lower Costs
Just 30 minutes from Copenhagen, Malmö offers the lowest costs among Sweden's major cities with a vibrant international community.
Rent in Malmö (2026)
| Apartment Type | First-hand | Second-hand |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 4,500-6,500 | 6,500-9,000 |
| 1-bedroom | 5,500-8,000 | 8,000-11,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 7,000-10,000 | 10,000-14,000 |
| 3-bedroom | 9,000-13,000 | 13,000-18,000 |
Savings vs Stockholm: 25-35% lower housing costs.
Malmö Monthly Budget
Single Professional:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, Möllevången) | 9,000 SEK |
| Skånetrafiken Monthly | 780 SEK |
| Groceries | 3,500 SEK |
| Utilities | 650 SEK |
| Phone + Internet | 550 SEK |
| Entertainment | 1,800 SEK |
| Savings | 3,000 SEK |
| Total | 19,280 SEK |
Malmö Neighborhoods
| Area | Character | Rent Level |
|---|---|---|
| Västra Hamnen | Modern, waterfront | $$$ |
| Davidshall | Central, upscale | $$$ |
| Möllevången | Multicultural, vibrant | $$ |
| Limhamn | Beach, family-friendly | $$ |
| Rosengård | Budget option | $ |
Uppsala: Student City Living
Sweden's fourth-largest city is known for its prestigious university. Great for students and academics, with a charming historic center.
Rent in Uppsala (2026)
| Apartment Type | Student Housing | Regular Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Student room | 3,500-5,500 | N/A |
| Studio | 5,000-7,000 | 7,000-9,500 |
| 1-bedroom | 6,500-9,000 | 9,000-12,000 |
| 2-bedroom | 8,500-11,000 | 11,000-15,000 |
Uppsala Monthly Budget (Student)
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student housing | 4,500 SEK |
| UL Monthly Card | 820 SEK |
| Groceries | 3,000 SEK |
| Utilities (often included) | 0 SEK |
| Phone | 200 SEK |
| Books/Supplies | 500 SEK |
| Entertainment | 1,500 SEK |
| Total | 10,520 SEK |
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Groceries
Swedish grocery prices (2026 averages):
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | 15-18 SEK |
| Bread (loaf) | 25-40 SEK |
| Eggs (12) | 40-55 SEK |
| Chicken breast (kg) | 100-140 SEK |
| Beef (kg) | 150-250 SEK |
| Salmon (kg) | 180-280 SEK |
| Rice (kg) | 20-35 SEK |
| Pasta (kg) | 15-25 SEK |
| Apples (kg) | 25-40 SEK |
| Potatoes (kg) | 15-25 SEK |
| Coffee (500g) | 50-80 SEK |
| Beer (6-pack) | 80-120 SEK |
| Wine (bottle) | 80-150 SEK |
Budget grocery stores: Lidl, Willys, Netto Mid-range: ICA, Coop, Hemköp Premium: ICA Maxi, Coop Forum
Monthly grocery budget:
- Tight budget: 2,500-3,000 SEK
- Average: 3,500-4,500 SEK
- Eating well: 5,000-6,000 SEK
Transportation
| City | Monthly Pass | Single Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm (SL) | 1,060 SEK | 42 SEK |
| Gothenburg (Västtrafik) | 895 SEK | 37 SEK |
| Malmö (Skånetrafiken) | 780 SEK | 32 SEK |
| Uppsala (UL) | 820 SEK | 35 SEK |
Biking is huge in Sweden - consider buying a used bike for 1,000-3,000 SEK.
Car ownership adds significantly:
- Fuel: 18-20 SEK/liter
- Insurance: 300-800 SEK/month
- Parking (Stockholm): 1,000-3,000 SEK/month
- Tax + inspection: ~3,000 SEK/year
Utilities
Most Swedish apartments include heating in the rent. Additional costs:
| Utility | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity | 300-800 SEK |
| Internet | 300-400 SEK |
| Water | Often included |
| Heating | Usually included |
Note: In second-hand rentals, check what's included. Some include all utilities, others don't.
Healthcare
Healthcare is heavily subsidized in Sweden:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit | 200-350 SEK |
| Specialist | 400 SEK |
| Annual cap (högkostnadsskydd) | 1,400 SEK |
| Prescriptions (annual cap) | 2,850 SEK |
After reaching the caps, care and prescriptions are free for 12 months.
Entertainment and Dining
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Restaurant meal (casual) | 120-180 SEK |
| Restaurant meal (nice) | 250-450 SEK |
| Beer at bar | 70-95 SEK |
| Coffee | 40-60 SEK |
| Cinema ticket | 140-160 SEK |
| Gym membership | 300-600 SEK |
| Spotify Premium | 129 SEK |
| Netflix | 119-199 SEK |
Dining Out Reality Check
Eating out is expensive in Sweden. A typical dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs 600-900 SEK including drinks.
Many Swedes eat lunch out (today's lunch/dagens lunch for 120-160 SEK) but cook dinner at home.
City Comparison Summary
| Factor | Stockholm | Gothenburg | Malmö | Uppsala |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | 12,000-16,000 | 9,500-13,000 | 8,000-11,000 | 9,000-12,000 |
| Transport | 1,060 | 895 | 780 | 820 |
| Total monthly | 25,000-32,000 | 20,000-26,000 | 18,000-24,000 | 19,000-25,000 |
| Job market | Excellent | Very good | Good | Moderate |
| Nightlife | Excellent | Very good | Good | Good |
| Nature access | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
Money-Saving Tips for Sweden
Housing
- Join queues immediately - Even if you're not moving soon
- Consider suburbs - 20-30% savings, good transport
- House-sitting - Websites like HemNet, Blocket
- Roommates - Common and affordable (kompis-boende)
Food
- Cook at home - Swedes rarely eat out on weekdays
- Use Matsmart - Discounted near-expiry products
- Shop at Lidl/Willys - 20-30% cheaper than ICA
- Meal prep - Very Swedish, very budget-friendly
Transport
- Get a bike - Free transport, very Swedish
- Off-peak tickets - Cheaper in some cities
- Annual pass - Better value if staying long-term
- SJ Prio - Discount train travel card
Entertainment
- Free museum days - Many museums have free admission
- Outdoor activities - Hiking, swimming, skiing (nature is free)
- Student discounts - If applicable, use them everywhere
- Happy hours - After-work specials at bars
What Salary Do You Need?
Based on our analysis, here's what you need to live comfortably:
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Gothenburg | Malmö |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival | 22,000 | 18,000 | 16,000 |
| Comfortable | 32,000 | 26,000 | 23,000 |
| Very comfortable | 45,000 | 38,000 | 35,000 |
These are after-tax (net) monthly salaries in SEK
Remember: Swedish salaries are quoted before tax. A 35,000 SEK gross salary becomes roughly 27,000-28,000 SEK after tax.
Summary
Sweden is expensive by global standards, but it offers:
- High quality of life
- Excellent public services
- Clean, safe cities
- Work-life balance
- Beautiful nature
The high taxes fund healthcare, education, and infrastructure that you'd pay for privately elsewhere. When comparing costs, consider what you get in return.
Our recommendation:
- On a budget → Choose Malmö or smaller cities
- Best value → Gothenburg combines affordability with opportunity
- Career focus → Stockholm for the job market and networking
- Academic path → Uppsala for students and researchers
Calculate your actual take-home pay with our Swedish Salary Calculator and plan your budget with our Monthly Budget Planner.
Related articles:
- Complete Guide to Taxes in Sweden - Understand how Swedish taxes work
- Understanding Your Swedish Payslip - Decode your lönespek
- Renting an Apartment in Sweden - Navigate the housing market
- Best Banks for Expats - Set up your finances
Calculate Your Swedish Finances
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Disclaimer
The information on this website is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, statistics and regulations change frequently. For the most up-to-date information, please visit official sources such as Skatteverket, Migrationsverket, and Statistics Sweden (SCB).
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