Cost of living in Sweden compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 19% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Sweden is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 114 kr ($12) | $17 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 87 kr ($9) | $9 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 53 kr ($5.41) | $5.08 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 13 kr ($1.27) | $0.99 | + 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 35 kr ($3.55) | $3.32 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 34 kr ($3.42) | $4.42 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 51 kr ($5.21) | $7 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 27 kr ($2.76) | $3.92 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12 kr ($1.19) | $1.92 | - 38% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 17 kr ($1.71) | $3.37 | - 49% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 99 kr ($10) | $16 | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 22 kr ($2.21) | $2.26 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 21 kr ($2.14) | $2.48 | - 13% | |
| 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 | 16,545 kr ($1,681) | $2,511 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 12,031 kr ($1,222) | $1,968 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 846 kr ($86) | $202 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 9,466 kr ($962) | $1,765 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,682 kr ($679) | $1,341 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 562 kr ($57) | $137 | - 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 287 kr ($29) | $56 | - 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,242 kr ($329) | $301 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,113 kr ($113) | $134 | - 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 150 kr ($15) | $12 | + 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 164 kr ($17) | $27 | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Sweden is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 863 kr ($88) | $51 | + 72% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 309 kr ($31) | $46 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 887 kr ($90) | $92 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,180 kr ($120) | $119 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in Sweden is 7% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 261,139 kr ($26,530) | $25,479 | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 19 kr ($1.93) | $1.07 | + 80% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 754 kr ($77) | $78 | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | - 45% | |||
| Personal Care in Sweden is 45% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 70 kr ($7) | $7 | - 4% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 100 kr ($10) | $19 | - 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 249 kr ($25) | $123 | - 79% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 33 kr ($3.32) | $7 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 35 kr ($3.55) | $4.14 | - 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 33 kr ($3.34) | $5.48 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 22 kr ($2.22) | $4.17 | - 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 20 kr ($2.02) | $2.05 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 281 kr ($29) | $26 | + 12% | |
| Entertainment | - 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Sweden is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Sweden | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 478 kr ($49) | $49 | - 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 284 kr ($29) | $27 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 810 kr ($82) | $195 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 902 kr ($92) | $83 | + 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 138 kr ($14) | $13 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 41 kr ($4.16) | $5.19 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 71 kr ($7) | $6 | + 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 7,113 kr ($723) | $490 | + 48% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.62 kr ($0.16) | $0.17 | - 2% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 333 kr ($34) | $52 | - 35% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 66 kr ($7) | $9 | - 26% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.10159
USD
/
SEK
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,610 prices entered by 2,718 different people.
Cost of living in Sweden is 21% cheaper than in United States
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