Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | + 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 23% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (206 kr) | 140 kr | + 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (114 kr) | 105 kr | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.85 (56 kr) | 70 kr | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.10 (11 kr) | 16 kr | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.48 (53 kr) | 44 kr | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.87 (47 kr) | 41 kr | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (71 kr) | 65 kr | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.31 (41 kr) | 31 kr | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.34 (22 kr) | 19 kr | + 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.49 (33 kr) | 19 kr | + 78% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (172 kr) | 120 kr | + 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.93 (28 kr) | 27 kr | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.10 (30 kr) | 20 kr | + 47% | |
| Housing | + 70% | |||
| Housing in United States is 70% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,174 (30,448 kr) | 17,579 kr | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,444 (23,442 kr) | 11,975 kr | + 96% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $229 (2,201 kr) | 1,400 kr | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,236 (21,450 kr) | 13,069 kr | + 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,662 (15,943 kr) | 10,435 kr | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $168 (1,609 kr) | 370 kr | + 335% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 (591 kr) | 204 kr | + 190% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $248 (2,375 kr) | 4,458 kr | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $151 (1,449 kr) | 1,261 kr | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (141 kr) | 84 kr | + 68% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $35 (332 kr) | 372 kr | - 11% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 23% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (561 kr) | 1,143 kr | - 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (487 kr) | 449 kr | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (1,009 kr) | 1,329 kr | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $141 (1,353 kr) | 1,421 kr | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 10% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,965 (297,011 kr) | 313,739 kr | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.94 (9 kr) | 18 kr | - 49% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $86 (824 kr) | 867 kr | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | + 64% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 64% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (86 kr) | 98 kr | - 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (234 kr) | 147 kr | + 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $169 (1,616 kr) | 328 kr | + 392% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (89 kr) | 65 kr | + 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.28 (51 kr) | 41 kr | + 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (66 kr) | 43 kr | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.11 (49 kr) | 33 kr | + 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.41 (23 kr) | 28 kr | - 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (289 kr) | 356 kr | - 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 36% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 36% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 (579 kr) | 504 kr | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (292 kr) | 297 kr | - 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $216 (2,071 kr) | 921 kr | + 125% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (995 kr) | 931 kr | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (140 kr) | 180 kr | - 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.89 (56 kr) | 56 kr | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (72 kr) | 67 kr | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $489 (4,689 kr) | 4,366 kr | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.55 (5.27 kr) | 2.00 kr | + 164% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (695 kr) | 496 kr | + 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (109 kr) | 75 kr | + 46% | |
| TOTAL | + 27% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,745 prices entered by 1,975 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 29, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.592
SEK
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 27% more expensive than in Sweden
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