Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in Sweden | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (124 kr) | 112 kr | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (67 kr) | 82 kr | - 18% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.22 (35 kr) | 56 kr | - 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (7 kr) | 13 kr | - 45% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.93 (24 kr) | 35 kr | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (34 kr) | 31 kr | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (53 kr) | 55 kr | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.28 (27 kr) | 28 kr | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 (14 kr) | 11 kr | + 21% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.20 (27 kr) | 16 kr | + 63% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (116 kr) | 111 kr | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.97 (16 kr) | 21 kr | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.02 (17 kr) | 13 kr | + 29% | |
| Housing | + 16% | |||
| Housing in United States is 16% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,203 (18,241 kr) | 16,770 kr | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,533 (12,693 kr) | 12,346 kr | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (1,471 kr) | 1,241 kr | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,521 (12,594 kr) | 11,605 kr | + 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,106 (9,154 kr) | 8,157 kr | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $109 (903 kr) | 426 kr | + 112% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 (405 kr) | 189 kr | + 115% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (2,247 kr) | 4,108 kr | - 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $127 (1,055 kr) | 1,078 kr | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (87 kr) | 47 kr | + 83% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $21 (177 kr) | 210 kr | - 16% | |
| Clothes | - 32% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 32% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (392 kr) | 989 kr | - 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (357 kr) | 412 kr | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (714 kr) | 1,087 kr | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $108 (897 kr) | 1,214 kr | - 26% | |
| Transportation | - 23% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 23% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,474 (194,330 kr) | 258,244 kr | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (5.32 kr) | 14 kr | - 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (620 kr) | 721 kr | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 38% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (60 kr) | 53 kr | + 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (123 kr) | 116 kr | + 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (927 kr) | 242 kr | + 282% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (55 kr) | 37 kr | + 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.36 (28 kr) | 27 kr | + 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.94 (41 kr) | 26 kr | + 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.61 (30 kr) | 24 kr | + 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (15 kr) | 19 kr | - 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (177 kr) | 304 kr | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is about the same as in Sweden | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (372 kr) | 362 kr | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (209 kr) | 262 kr | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $211 (1,744 kr) | 895 kr | + 95% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (645 kr) | 642 kr | + 0% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (101 kr) | 129 kr | - 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.97 (41 kr) | 41 kr | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.74 (48 kr) | 65 kr | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $412 (3,407 kr) | 5,277 kr | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.49 (4.05 kr) | 3.65 kr | + 11% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (405 kr) | 352 kr | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (68 kr) | 65 kr | + 6% | |
| TOTAL | - 2% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
8.278
SEK
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,160 prices entered by 4,490 different people.
Cost of living in United States is about the same as in Sweden
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