Cost of living in Sweden compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 23% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sweden is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 137 kr ($14) | $22 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 110 kr ($11) | $12 | - 5% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 66 kr ($7) | $5.93 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 17 kr ($1.77) | $1.09 | + 63% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 41 kr ($4.22) | $5.62 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 36 kr ($3.74) | $4.83 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 65 kr ($7) | $8 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 30 kr ($3.17) | $4.23 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 19 kr ($2.01) | $2.30 | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 19 kr ($1.96) | $3.70 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 120 kr ($13) | $18 | - 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 29 kr ($2.97) | $2.94 | + 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16 kr ($1.67) | $3.01 | - 45% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in Sweden is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,624 kr ($1,835) | $3,070 | - 40% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,975 kr ($1,247) | $2,361 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,400 kr ($146) | $237 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 13,069 kr ($1,361) | $2,218 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 8,837 kr ($920) | $1,628 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 370 kr ($38) | $168 | - 77% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 204 kr ($21) | $62 | - 66% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,458 kr ($464) | $251 | + 85% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,261 kr ($131) | $150 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 84 kr ($9) | $15 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 372 kr ($39) | $34 | + 15% | |
| Clothes | + 31% | |||
| Clothes in Sweden is 31% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,143 kr ($119) | $58 | + 104% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 449 kr ($47) | $49 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,329 kr ($138) | $106 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,421 kr ($148) | $141 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in Sweden is 8% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 313,739 kr ($32,666) | $30,916 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 17 kr ($1.77) | $0.93 | + 90% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 815 kr ($85) | $85 | - 1% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Sweden is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 98 kr ($10) | $10 | + 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 147 kr ($15) | $24 | - 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 328 kr ($34) | $167 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 65 kr ($7) | $10 | - 31% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 41 kr ($4.27) | $5.29 | - 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 43 kr ($4.47) | $7 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 33 kr ($3.44) | $5.05 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 28 kr ($2.88) | $2.37 | + 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 356 kr ($37) | $31 | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in Sweden is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 504 kr ($52) | $61 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 271 kr ($28) | $31 | - 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 921 kr ($96) | $234 | - 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 931 kr ($97) | $104 | - 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 180 kr ($19) | $15 | + 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 56 kr ($5.84) | $6 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 67 kr ($7) | $8 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,366 kr ($455) | $464 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 kr ($0.21) | $0.52 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 496 kr ($52) | $70 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 75 kr ($8) | $11 | - 31% | |
| TOTAL | - 23% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,317 prices entered by 1,865 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.10412
USD
/
SEK
Cost of living in Sweden is 23% cheaper than in United States
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