Cost of living in Sweden compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
Food | + 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Sweden is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 131 kr (£10) | £13 | - 27% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 93 kr (£7) | £7 | + 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 72 kr (£5.40) | £3.44 | + 57% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 15 kr (£1.16) | £1.11 | + 4% | |
12 eggs, large | 43 kr (£3.22) | £3.47 | - 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 37 kr (£2.80) | £1.92 | + 45% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 56 kr (£4.21) | £4.23 | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 30 kr (£2.26) | £2.00 | + 13% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 14 kr (£1.07) | £0.94 | + 14% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 18 kr (£1.35) | £1.72 | - 22% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 119 kr (£9) | £8 | + 8% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 24 kr (£1.76) | £2.25 | - 21% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 20 kr (£1.50) | £1.11 | + 35% | |
Housing | - 21% | |||
Housing in Sweden is 21% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 18,181 kr (£1,360) | £2,055 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,540 kr (£938) | £1,348 | - 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,161 kr (£162) | £218 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,809 kr (£958) | £1,168 | - 18% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 9,153 kr (£685) | £817 | - 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,410 kr (£105) | £133 | - 21% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 295 kr (£22) | £26 | - 14% | |
40” flat screen tv | 4,739 kr (£355) | £306 | + 16% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,437 kr (£108) | £93 | + 16% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 113 kr (£8) | £6 | + 34% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 261 kr (£20) | £15 | + 32% | |
Clothes | + 14% | |||
Clothes in Sweden is 14% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,034 kr (£77) | £63 | + 23% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 431 kr (£32) | £32 | - 0% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,067 kr (£80) | £68 | + 17% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,444 kr (£108) | £70 | + 54% | |
Transportation | - 23% | |||
Transportation in Sweden is 23% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 293,692 kr (£21,974) | £25,223 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 21 kr (£1.56) | £1.52 | + 3% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 833 kr (£62) | £91 | - 31% | |
Personal Care | - 22% | |||
Personal Care in Sweden is 22% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 70 kr (£5.27) | £4.12 | + 28% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 211 kr (£16) | £11 | + 48% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 252 kr (£19) | £112 | - 83% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 37 kr (£2.78) | £3.78 | - 26% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 34 kr (£2.58) | £1.71 | + 51% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 37 kr (£2.79) | £3.49 | - 20% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 32 kr (£2.38) | £2.13 | + 12% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 19 kr (£1.44) | £1.81 | - 20% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 289 kr (£22) | £14 | + 52% | |
Entertainment | + 2% | |||
Entertainment in Sweden is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
Sweden | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 467 kr (£35) | £37 | - 7% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 311 kr (£23) | £19 | + 21% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,140 kr (£85) | £153 | - 44% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 916 kr (£69) | £58 | + 17% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 145 kr (£11) | £10 | + 9% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45 kr (£3.40) | £3.28 | + 4% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 71 kr (£5.33) | £4.90 | + 9% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 7,556 kr (£565) | £412 | + 37% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.96 kr (£0.15) | £0.10 | + 42% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 412 kr (£31) | £34 | - 10% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 67 kr (£5.03) | £13 | - 60% | |
TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.07482
GBP
/
SEK
Cost of living in Sweden is 16% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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