MigrantoCost of living in Sweden
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
SEK 21,300
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
SEK 9,690richest 20%
SEK 45,600
Sweden's expense lands hardest on housing. Demand in the cities runs well ahead of what's being built, so the hard part of settling in is often finding somewhere to live at all, not just paying for it. Beyond that it's an even society — the gap between living comfortably and merely coping stays narrow — which takes some of the edge off the rest.
Where people spend money in Sweden
A Swedish budget leans hardest on housing, and in the bigger cities that pressure is the defining one — securing somewhere to live is the line that shapes the rest. Groceries and getting around take the next slices, and both bend to habit: you can shop and travel more cheaply, but the rent holds firm.
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What it costs to live in Sweden
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Sweden and how much you could have left each month
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Cost of living in Sweden
SEK 9,690/mo
vs SEK 7,550 in your country
Take-home
SEK 17,500
vs SEK 11,300 in your country
Potential savings
SEK 7,790
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in Sweden compare
Few countries cost more than Sweden on a global view, and within Europe it belongs to the upper band rather than the middle. It's a rich economy where work of every kind is paid well, and that lifts the price of nearly everything bought and sold inside it.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Sweden?
A typical person in Sweden spends about SEK 21,300 a month — around SEK 256,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in Sweden in US dollars?
The cost of living in Sweden is about $2,258 a month, or roughly $27,096 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Sweden?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about SEK 9,690 a month per person, a typical one around SEK 21,300, and a comfortable life around SEK 28,600. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Sweden?
The biggest expense is housing, at about SEK 5,390 a month (25% of spending). Then come groceries (SEK 2,730, 13%) and transport (SEK 2,710, 13%).
Is the average salary in Sweden enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about SEK 21,300 a month, while the average take-home pay in Sweden is about SEK 33,200. For more on incomes, see salaries in Sweden.
Is Sweden an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Sweden is more expensive than 91% of countries worldwide and ranks 12th of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
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Living in Sweden
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