Sweden : Cost of Living by City
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Sweden?
Thinking about living in Sweden, usually refers to Stockholm, as its capital city, but if Sweden is definitely your choice, there are some other places to be concerned, which will offer the same living conditions at lower living costs.
It is suggested to get acquainted with the data related to living conditions and costs in Sweden which are aimed at giving potential residents some information about how it is to live and work there.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Sweden
RESTAURANTS
Meals in restaurants, and especially alcohol in Sweden, cost a lot, but even with the relatively high costs, it’s possible to visit them from time to time without spending a fortune, and they are frequently visited by both tourists and residents.
You should not get surprised by the fact that a bottle of beer is almost equally priced as the whole meal in some inexpensive restaurants.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $11.54 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $6.73 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.74 |
MARKETS
If you do not mind cooking for yourself and your family and buying your food at supermarkets, food costs in Sweden would be surprisingly cheaper than if you visit restaurants on a daily basis.
The average Swedish person would buy food at the local markets, thus saving pretty much.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.27 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.40 |
| Eggs (12) | $3.19 |
TRANSPORTATION
Even though transport is expensive in Sweden, there is no better option for commuting there.
If your apartment is close to the city, you will not need a car, as the public transport network is excellent.
Owning and maintaining a car is quite pricey in Sweden.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $3.37 |
| Monthly Pass | $81.73 |
| Gasoline | $1.94 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
If you have found the ideal apartment in Sweden and you plan to stay there for a long term, you will need to think about paying bills, which are not considered high, compared with the average monthly salaries.
You will need approximately $100 per month for all utilities.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $85.50 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.12 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $29.74 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
It goes without saying that all of the prices are just approximations, but they present the actual situation in Sweden.
There are many people interested in a healthy lifestyle here, and quite a lot of money is devoted to fitness clubs and entertainment, which is quite pricey.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $35.37 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $23.77 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $13.94 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Sweden has a reputation for being expensive, and this also refers to clothing items.
When compared to the average salaries, the prices are not too high, but when all the other expenses are taken into consideration very little is left to be spent on non-essential things.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $83.06 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.48 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $86.91 |
RENT PER MONTH
Housing costs are one of the major expenses in Sweden and they will take the biggest portion of your salary.
It is estimated that it could take around 30%.
If you are lucky enough to get help from your company which asked you to relocate, you will save a lot on housing.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $876.851 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $658.63 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1406.70 |
HEALTHCARE
Sweden has universal public healthcare funded through taxes, with no standard monthly premiums for basic coverage.
Private supplemental insurance is optional and costs roughly 40 to 90 USD per month.
Out-of-pocket expenses average around 500 to 900 USD per person per year, mainly for prescriptions, dental care, and specialist visits.
With average monthly salaries above 4,500 USD, healthcare costs are very affordable relative to income.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free, with families paying for books, materials, and optional activities, around $200 to $500 per year.
Private schools charge $10,000 to $25,000 annually.
Public universities charge no tuition for EU/EEA students; non-EU students pay $8,000 to $15,000 per year.
Students also cover housing, food, transport, and textbooks.
Average monthly income is about $4,500, making public education highly affordable, while private schooling and international university tuition are significant expenses.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Sweden?
The greatest expense that awaits you once you come to Sweden is definitely the rent, especially if your choice is Stockholm.
The rent prices generally decrease if you decide to rent an apartment outside the inner city area or avoid Stockholm.
Besides housing, goods such as food and transportation will account for a big part of your expenses.
Swedish do not devote much money to clothing but spend quite an amount on sports and leisure as they are an important part of life after busy days at work.
Average Costs Breakdown
Sweden: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Where you would decide to live in Sweden is one of the biggest determining factors of how much you will be spending on different commodities.
Larger cities are more expensive than smaller towns, but on the other hand, offer higher salaries.
Renting an apartment has a big impact on your budget, and if you earn the minimum salary, you would not be able to provide for all the basic needs.
Buying your property might be a good choice, and the mortgage interest rates are not exceeding 3%.
Sweden Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Sweden Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
| TAP WATER RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Sweden
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Gothenburg |
69.77 |
| Malmo |
66.14 |
| Stockholm |
77.23 |
| Uppsala |
68.75 |
