Cost of Living in Stockholm

Summary of cost of living in Stockholm, Sweden:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 150.00 kr 120.00-250.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 1,000.00 kr 700.00-1,600.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 110.00 kr 97.00-120.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 79.00 kr 60.00-90.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 75.00 kr 59.00-100.00
Cappuccino (regular) 45.80 kr 25.00-60.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 28.17 kr 20.00-35.00
Water (12 oz small bottle) 23.97 kr 20.00-35.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 60.82 kr 45.42-79.49
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 28.31 kr 16.33-40.82
Rice (white), (1 lb) 18.02 kr 13.61-22.68
Eggs (regular) (12) 43.17 kr 26.00-52.80
Local Cheese (1 lb) 52.33 kr 39.92-113.40
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 55.49 kr 36.29-81.65
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 85.94 kr 45.36-158.76
Apples (1 lb) 14.90 kr 7.26-20.41
Banana (1 lb) 12.32 kr 9.07-15.88
Oranges (1 lb) 14.77 kr 9.07-18.14
Tomato (1 lb) 19.79 kr 12.20-26.76
Potato (1 lb) 7.88 kr 5.44-10.89
Onion (1 lb) 8.59 kr 6.35-13.61
Lettuce (1 head) 24.99 kr 15.00-35.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 14.58 kr 10.00-25.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 120.00 kr 90.00-150.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 19.81 kr 15.00-29.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 21.97 kr 15.00-30.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 75.00 kr 70.00-80.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 42.00 kr 42.00-44.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 1,020.00 kr 1,020.00-1,050.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 59.00 kr 50.00-100.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 40.23 kr 24.14-80.47
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 565.00 kr 500.00-600.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 72.11 kr 64.35-83.28
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 309,000.00 kr 280,000.00-340,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 334,184.62 kr 324,900.00-370,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 2,022.78 kr 944.44-4,473.68
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 285.79 kr 150.00-469.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 350.77 kr 205.00-500.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 428.99 kr 319.00-600.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 355.54 kr 250.00-402.05
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 169.00 kr 140.00-200.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 1,545.94 kr 1,300.00-1,800.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 62,000.00 kr 20,000.00-130,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 935.92 kr 500.00-1,300.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 461.06 kr 300.00-600.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 1,123.58 kr 700.00-1,500.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 2,093.33 kr 1,200.00-2,600.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 16,512.19 kr 11,000.00-22,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 10,304.23 kr 6,000.00-15,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 27,037.04 kr 20,000.00-45,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 17,740.00 kr 11,500.00-25,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 10,143.81 kr 9,290.23-11,148.27
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 5,486.01 kr 4,459.31-7,432.18
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 37,505.74 kr
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 4.43 3.00-5.00

Prices in Stockholm

This city had 2496 entries in the past 12 months by 366 different contributors.
Last update: December 2024
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Sign Up for Our Newsletter:
Your Email Address:
  
  
Leave a comment:

Your name: Sign In

Your email address (optional):

Your comment (no HTML):

26 Comments so far
Anonymous on Oct 13, 2024:
imagin that lots of blonde girl married islam guy and black people.
nbv91 on Sep 28, 2024:
Sweden is a great place to live if we consider the combination of job and earning opportunities, nature, healthy lifestyle, food, natural beauty of swedish women etc. Cost of living is also not that high compared with some other places in Europe, the tax burden (for mid class) is actually lower than in Germany, Belgium, France and Austria...However, I was pretty much shocked when I saw the hordes of immigrants who just make noise and garbage, who steal and go in gangs all around...I think many highly qualified people will be discouraged to move to Sweden because of the migrants, nobody wants to live with such people around...Why the hell did you let those parasites in your country?
Ivan B on Jun 17, 2024:
What should be the expected salary for a CFO (mid company) in Sweden? 2 Mio SEK fix + 0-40% variable p.a. - is it reasonable?
Thanks!
Anonymous on Jan 22, 2024:
A place for the already rich (but why would they move there?) or for the desperate.
Anonymous on Dec 24, 2023:
Aim to get an expat contract that pays for your housing, car, relocation package and the first 2-3 years of your taxes, which is the common practice for top managers (regional managers) in multinational companies (Phillips, Unilever, Roche, P&G, Philip Morris...). After that, you pay taxes like a local. Companies offering expat contracts to top executives may also pay for your children's schools whether the Stockholm International School or the British International School. Both are really good, fully in English and you get a great social network meeting the other parents (other top managers, local business men, diplomats, and some local celebrities). Stockholm is a wonderful place with a very active and welcoming expat community stemming out of these schools.
Anonymous on Mar 01, 2023:
I get by on a low salary here and I can even save money each month. Public transport is good but expensive, but paying for parking is even worse. Housing queues are 5-30 years long depending on your standards. City natives usually live with their parents way into their 20s due to how hard it is to get housing. Those with well off parents usually buy an apartment early with some investment money instead of waiting in the queue. Not a good city for those who are not already established.
Alex on Feb 28, 2023:
As an expat living in Stockholm for about half a year now, I tend to agree with the general sentiment in the comments: Stockholm is not expat-friendly in terms of cost of living. However, looking at other places, Stockholm seems to be doing OK-ish in comparison. It just seems that COL has skyrocketed across all developed nations, so Stockholm no longer stands out. Several years ago you could live in Portugal for a fraction of Stockholm's costs, now it's like 30% cheaper, but adjusted for local salary levels, infrastructure quality and other factors it's not that big a bargain.

I think the idea of moving into a first world country, finding a simple white collar job and supporting high standard of living for your family can be considered a thing of the past. You can still do it, but not in Western countries.
Anonymous on Dec 28, 2022:
I am a native Swede that used to live in Stockholm and I agree with the expats on this website. Its a horrible city UNLESS you have rich parents (like many native Stockholmers do). Otherwise you will have to spend hundreds of hours just to find a second hand rental apartment that will cost you 15-20k SEK for a small apartment, food will be 6-10k if you eat outside sometimes (cheap food). Forget having a car unless you make above 100k SEK/month, parking is expensive and "lapplisor" are everywhere.You are definitely gonna get fined.

If you want a higher living standard I suggest Kiruna, cheaper housing and same salaries.
Anonymous on Nov 03, 2022:
As many have said before, don't expect high salaries in engineering jobs in Sweden. I mean... they may seem to be high, but here the range of salaries is quite narrow. So even if you earn say 45-50k gross you will be getting less than double the salary of a cleaning lady (and this means that the majority of society has similar budget which drives prices upward).
And forget about having a car. It's basically like burning banknotes in a fireplace because of taxes, gas prices, parking fees and insurance.

So 45k is pretty much for STHLM but dont expect to have a luxurious life with such salary.
Anonymous on Mar 23, 2022:
How is an offer of 45K SEK? Im from India and single. Is it a good idea to take this offer?
Anonymous on Jan 03, 2022:
All people complaining are either right-winged or economic migrant morons that care only about their own pockets and not the society where they live
Anonymous on Dec 18, 2021:
Sorry, I mean 60kSek gross wage and 40kSek net...
Anonymous on Dec 18, 2021:
I moved to Stockholm during 2020 with a child and I work as senior electronic engineer. I earn 6kSek per month (around 4k net wage) and I pay 1400Sek (rent+consumptions) per month in Södermalm for a 40 sqm apartment. Life cost is comparable to that I experienced in Germany, North Italy and South France, where I lived previously. Rent an apartment is difficult, because of shortage, and problably it was easier during pandemic. I'm happy of education system and I receive a child allowance (barnbidrag) tax free.
ADI on Aug 18, 2021:
The amount of undeserved criticisms and outright racism on this page is ridiculously stunning and most surely not coming from Swedes. Stockholm makes for one of the best and safest places in the World to live: one has also to learn how to read statistics.
Coming from southern Europe, I can say swedish wages are on average 3 times (I more than quintupled it) or more than what I am used to, services are almost impeccable, cost of living definitely affordable (with rent shortage and, in some areas, prices being the only drawback) and the city is clean and beautiful.
That being said, the purchasing power is definitely higher in cities like Karlstad, Umeå or Sundsvall.
Anonymous on Jun 09, 2021:
Dont move to Stockholm please, despite the high GDP of Sweden, its an extremely poor place in reality, listen to me first. Even if you are a senior software engineer you will only make like 45,000 SEK per month before taxes, after taxes around 34,000 SEK. Right now even 1 BR apartments go for 20-25k because there is a big shortage, so after paying for a small apartment you are only left with 14,000 SEK. Food is expensive, you will probably spend 6000 per month if you dont have any alcohol. Maybe you think you can own a car with the money you have left? Forget it! Parking is 100 SEK/hour in Stockholm and its almost impossible to find parking, forget commuting to work with a car, its either the bus or subway unless you are a multi millionaire. So the lifestyle you will have in Stockholm as a software engineer is WAY WORSE in comparison to a software engineer in USA, China, Russia etc.
GetReal on May 17, 2021:
According to Numbeo the rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center is 13000 SEK. Good luck with retning one for that price.
TO BE more realistic I would put the price at 18000 SEK.
Arab on Apr 25, 2021:
I lived 10 years back in Stockholm as a student.

I am reading the comments below which reflects a lot of hate and racisim, I am not sure If people who are throughing those comments has experienced what they are complaining about. I am as Arab felt offended and I can say that it is not true that Arabs bring crime, hundreds of thousands of Arabs are living in Sweden since 10s of years and Safety was not an issue, so what changed.

I am proud that many of Arabs are contributing in Sweeden culture and diversify it.
Alex on Apr 07, 2021:
Hi! I am a software engineer and I did read all the comments.
Thats a bit scary and not because of the money perspective as I will have a great income as I will work for a big company and help them to automate all the process they need.
But about the racist problems I am a bit worried, as my skin is a bit brown but I am not arabic and to mention there is nothing wrong with arabic people. I have some arabic friends and they are great!
Abdul on Mar 31, 2021:
hey i'm from somalia and live in sweden. great place. I have a swedish wife and 6 kids from her. I earn 43k sek per month and it's enoung for us to live.
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2021:
50k sek is a very low salary add 100k to that more like it
Mike on Mar 10, 2021:
I just got a 50k SEK (before tax) in Stockholm offer. How is this for a single person living there?
Saira on Jan 10, 2021:
I want to apply for master degree in Sweden. Plz guide me which city will be better for living as I have my family of 3 members with me. Is Gothenburg will be safe? What are the job opportunities in Gothenburg.
Alex on Jan 08, 2021:
One honest message to all who plan come to Sweden for work, just don't and educate yourself before you consider. Swedish people are moving out Sweden because has one of worlds most highest tax on salary or making money. I'm actually one among them. You got nothing back from the society once you need it in term of social help, it takes ages when you deal with authorities.

The true facts about Sweden in general are these:

- Extremely high housing shortage. (You will have a very hard time finding an apartment but there are subleases and it is from people who take advantage of the housing shortage so they take triple rents ..A simple 1 room around city center cost minimum 12.000 SEK and outside cost minimum 8000 SEK).
- High crime rate, gang shootings, rape so be careful about which area you choose in Stockholm or major cities to visit or settle in.
-You will pay a sky-high tax but get a poorer standard of living because everything cost of living are expensive. Switzerland or Norway are also expensive too, but I think you get more for your money than living and working in Sweden. The two countries have at least better nature and a higher quality of life than Sweden.

Although the western world are way to fall. Move to another country where you are treated well if you are interested in making money or for work. And also a warmer country with more sunlight if you don't wanna get depressed.
Anonymous on Dec 23, 2020:
Stockholm like much of Sweden is full of radical middle easterners especially Arabs.Safety is a big concern especially for women.
Anonymous on Dec 06, 2020:
1300 euros/month plus bills for a mini flat like shoe box, and average salary 2400 euros/month, lol no thanks.
Anonymous on Oct 15, 2020:
interesting to read all the posts! All I would say is one should choose not only a job, certainly not only based on salary and "government freebees"....why are people complaining about the people originating and living in the country you want to move to?
you all want to inform yourself on costs of living and security and else....do it on culture too and by all means keep your own traditions and beliefs alive but you cannot expect to "move in" and disrespect the place you went to...it is your choice to come so embrace the new culture and come with respect! think about it the other way around....how are people from Sweden treated in your country?