Cost of living in Sweden compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sweden is 13% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 111 kr ($11) | $14 | - 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 79 kr ($8) | $8 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 54 kr ($5.55) | $4.32 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 12 kr ($1.22) | $0.88 | + 40% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 34 kr ($3.51) | $3.00 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 34 kr ($3.47) | $4.08 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 53 kr ($5.39) | $6 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 28 kr ($2.85) | $3.39 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12 kr ($1.23) | $1.74 | - 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 17 kr ($1.72) | $3.21 | - 46% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 106 kr ($11) | $15 | - 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 21 kr ($2.11) | $1.92 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15 kr ($1.57) | $2.07 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Sweden is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 17,856 kr ($1,833) | $2,231 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,540 kr ($1,185) | $1,605 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,062 kr ($109) | $179 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 11,300 kr ($1,160) | $1,614 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,706 kr ($791) | $1,141 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 693 kr ($71) | $117 | - 39% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 333 kr ($34) | $48 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 4,319 kr ($443) | $300 | + 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,025 kr ($105) | $121 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 80 kr ($8) | $11 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 300 kr ($31) | $22 | + 37% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in Sweden is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 857 kr ($88) | $49 | + 81% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 322 kr ($33) | $44 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 977 kr ($100) | $87 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,315 kr ($135) | $114 | + 19% | |
| Transportation | + 5% | |||
| Transportation in Sweden is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 219,883 kr ($22,573) | $22,993 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 16 kr ($1.62) | $0.77 | + 109% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 738 kr ($76) | $79 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Sweden is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 59 kr ($6) | $7 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 81 kr ($8) | $20 | - 58% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 219 kr ($23) | $110 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 43 kr ($4.38) | $7 | - 33% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 31 kr ($3.18) | $3.51 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 35 kr ($3.58) | $5.02 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 23 kr ($2.40) | $3.54 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 18 kr ($1.87) | $1.85 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 305 kr ($31) | $22 | + 43% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Sweden is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 391 kr ($40) | $45 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 246 kr ($25) | $25 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 878 kr ($90) | $221 | - 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 831 kr ($85) | $75 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 131 kr ($13) | $12 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 43 kr ($4.42) | $4.81 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 60 kr ($6) | $5.82 | + 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 4,747 kr ($487) | $405 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.59 kr ($0.16) | $0.19 | - 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 467 kr ($48) | $54 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 61 kr ($6) | $8 | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 11% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 25, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.10266
USD
/
SEK
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 52,268 prices entered by 6,608 different people.
Cost of living in Sweden is 11% cheaper than in United States
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