Cost of living in Sweden compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 88% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sweden is 88% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 137 kr (104元) | 41元 | + 151% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 110 kr (83元) | 38元 | + 119% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 66 kr (50元) | 15元 | + 238% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17 kr (13元) | 14元 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 41 kr (31元) | 16元 | + 96% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 36 kr (27元) | 10元 | + 160% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 65 kr (49元) | 50元 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 30 kr (23元) | 16元 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 19 kr (15元) | 6元 | + 126% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 19 kr (14元) | 7元 | + 113% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 120 kr (91元) | 89元 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 29 kr (22元) | 8元 | + 168% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16 kr (12元) | 13元 | - 3% | |
| Housing | + 60% | |||
| Housing in Sweden is 60% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,624 kr (13,356元) | 11,256元 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,975 kr (9,075元) | 5,248元 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,400 kr (1,061元) | 450元 | + 136% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 13,069 kr (9,904元) | 6,564元 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,837 kr (6,697元) | 3,518元 | + 90% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 370 kr (280元) | 296元 | - 5% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 204 kr (154元) | 100元 | + 55% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,458 kr (3,379元) | 1,460元 | + 131% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,261 kr (955元) | 553元 | + 73% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 84 kr (63元) | 43元 | + 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 372 kr (282元) | 50元 | + 468% | |
| Clothes | + 56% | |||
| Clothes in Sweden is 56% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,143 kr (866元) | 418元 | + 107% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 449 kr (340元) | 302元 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,329 kr (1,007元) | 553元 | + 82% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,421 kr (1,077元) | 705元 | + 53% | |
| Transportation | + 116% | |||
| Transportation in Sweden is 116% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 313,739 kr (237,757元) | 137,169元 | + 73% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 kr (13元) | 8元 | + 71% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 815 kr (618元) | 228元 | + 170% | |
| Personal Care | + 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Sweden is 32% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 98 kr (74元) | 45元 | + 66% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 147 kr (111元) | 59元 | + 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 328 kr (249元) | 114元 | + 119% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 65 kr (49元) | 67元 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41 kr (31元) | 57元 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 43 kr (33元) | 25元 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 33 kr (25元) | 6元 | + 305% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 28 kr (21元) | 15元 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 356 kr (270元) | 64元 | + 320% | |
| Entertainment | + 79% | |||
| Entertainment in Sweden is 79% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Sweden | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 504 kr (382元) | 169元 | + 126% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 271 kr (205元) | 100元 | + 106% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 921 kr (698元) | 1,179元 | - 41% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 931 kr (705元) | 320元 | + 120% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 180 kr (136元) | 81元 | + 68% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 56 kr (42元) | 28元 | + 54% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 67 kr (50元) | 19元 | + 164% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,366 kr (3,308元) | 3,680元 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 kr (1.52元) | 0.34元 | + 352% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 496 kr (376元) | 394元 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 75 kr (57元) | 25元 | + 129% | |
| TOTAL | + 80% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,238 prices entered by 175 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.758
CNY
/
SEK
Cost of living in Sweden is 80% more expensive than in China
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