Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | + 24% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 24% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (192 kr) | 129 kr | + 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (101 kr) | 91 kr | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.75 (59 kr) | 64 kr | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (11 kr) | 15 kr | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.47 (46 kr) | 41 kr | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.56 (47 kr) | 39 kr | + 22% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (73 kr) | 53 kr | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.23 (44 kr) | 30 kr | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (22 kr) | 14 kr | + 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (34 kr) | 19 kr | + 74% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (165 kr) | 114 kr | + 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.54 (26 kr) | 23 kr | + 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.82 (29 kr) | 26 kr | + 12% | |
| Housing | + 53% | |||
| Housing in United States is 53% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,805 (28,905 kr) | 19,958 kr | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,085 (21,489 kr) | 15,359 kr | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $217 (2,233 kr) | 1,006 kr | + 122% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,938 (19,971 kr) | 13,165 kr | + 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,451 (14,952 kr) | 10,150 kr | + 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $147 (1,514 kr) | 444 kr | + 241% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (608 kr) | 340 kr | + 79% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $302 (3,109 kr) | 3,000 kr | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $131 (1,345 kr) | 2,456 kr | - 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (135 kr) | 129 kr | + 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (336 kr) | 164 kr | + 105% | |
| Clothes | - 4% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (543 kr) | 898 kr | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (481 kr) | 415 kr | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $94 (964 kr) | 991 kr | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (1,226 kr) | 1,314 kr | - 7% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 13% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,552 (283,911 kr) | 272,928 kr | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.14 (12 kr) | 22 kr | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (803 kr) | 907 kr | - 11% | |
| Personal Care | + 116% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 116% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (79 kr) | 70 kr | + 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (235 kr) | 100 kr | + 135% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (1,430 kr) | 200 kr | + 615% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (84 kr) | 34 kr | + 146% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.67 (48 kr) | 31 kr | + 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.76 (59 kr) | 35 kr | + 68% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.45 (46 kr) | 25 kr | + 85% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.15 (22 kr) | 24 kr | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (282 kr) | 210 kr | + 34% | |
| Entertainment | + 7% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 7% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (546 kr) | 519 kr | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (286 kr) | 300 kr | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $191 (1,970 kr) | 810 kr | + 143% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (944 kr) | 838 kr | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (139 kr) | 167 kr | - 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.52 (57 kr) | 42 kr | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (67 kr) | 73 kr | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $519 (5,345 kr) | 9,490 kr | - 44% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (2.13 kr) | 1.45 kr | + 46% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $56 (582 kr) | 426 kr | + 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (102 kr) | 68 kr | + 50% | |
| TOTAL | + 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
10.305
SEK
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 20,704 prices entered by 2,865 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 22% more expensive than in Sweden
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