Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 12% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (137 kr) | 112 kr | + 23% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (74 kr) | 79 kr | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.26 (41 kr) | 54 kr | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.87 (8 kr) | 12 kr | - 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.02 (29 kr) | 35 kr | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.97 (38 kr) | 33 kr | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (59 kr) | 51 kr | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.37 (32 kr) | 27 kr | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.70 (16 kr) | 12 kr | + 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.20 (31 kr) | 17 kr | + 81% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (137 kr) | 103 kr | + 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.93 (18 kr) | 21 kr | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.11 (20 kr) | 15 kr | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 21% | |||
| Housing in United States is 21% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,190 (20,849 kr) | 17,452 kr | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,577 (15,014 kr) | 11,967 kr | + 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $179 (1,707 kr) | 1,150 kr | + 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,580 (15,045 kr) | 11,424 kr | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,117 (10,632 kr) | 7,498 kr | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $118 (1,122 kr) | 786 kr | + 43% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $48 (458 kr) | 292 kr | + 57% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $304 (2,897 kr) | 4,295 kr | - 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $119 (1,130 kr) | 1,025 kr | + 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (103 kr) | 80 kr | + 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (208 kr) | 305 kr | - 32% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 5% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $48 (453 kr) | 857 kr | - 47% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 (416 kr) | 320 kr | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (816 kr) | 977 kr | - 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $111 (1,056 kr) | 1,315 kr | - 20% | |
| Transportation | - 10% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 10% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,786 (216,928 kr) | 216,183 kr | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.76 (7 kr) | 16 kr | - 54% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (753 kr) | 772 kr | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 58% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 58% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (67 kr) | 59 kr | + 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (184 kr) | 81 kr | + 126% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (1,048 kr) | 224 kr | + 367% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $6 (61 kr) | 43 kr | + 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.46 (33 kr) | 31 kr | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.88 (46 kr) | 35 kr | + 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.44 (33 kr) | 23 kr | + 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (17 kr) | 18 kr | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (203 kr) | 311 kr | - 35% | |
| Entertainment | + 0% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in Sweden | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (427 kr) | 408 kr | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (234 kr) | 254 kr | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $208 (1,980 kr) | 878 kr | + 126% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (711 kr) | 825 kr | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (112 kr) | 131 kr | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.86 (46 kr) | 43 kr | + 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.74 (55 kr) | 62 kr | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $407 (3,879 kr) | 4,671 kr | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.16 (1.50 kr) | 1.59 kr | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (505 kr) | 463 kr | + 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (76 kr) | 61 kr | + 24% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2020.
Exchange rate:
9.520
SEK
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 54,566 prices entered by 6,939 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 8% more expensive than in Sweden
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