Cost of Living
Rent, groceries, transport, energy, alcohol, insurance and monthly budget in Sweden
Summary
Sweden is not a cheap country. High taxes finance excellent public services — free education, affordable healthcare, subsidized childcare — but daily life costs more than in the Netherlands. Particularly rent in major cities, alcohol, restaurants, and car-related costs are higher. Groceries are comparable, and some things (childcare, healthcare costs) are actually cheaper due to strong subsidies. This chapter gives you a realistic picture of what life in Sweden costs, including monthly budgets for different scenarios.
What you need to know
Rent
The rental market is the biggest financial obstacle for newcomers. Sweden has a strongly regulated rental market with low rents for those who have a forstahandskontrakt (first-hand rental contract) — but waiting lists are absurdly long (see chapter 7). Newcomers pay market-rate prices through andrahand (subletting), private landlords, or new construction:
| Housing type | Stockholm | Gothenburg | Malmo | Smaller city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bed | SEK 8,000-12,000 | SEK 6,000-9,000 | SEK 5,500-8,000 | SEK 4,000-6,000 |
| 2-bed | SEK 12,000-18,000 | SEK 8,000-12,000 | SEK 7,000-11,000 | SEK 5,000-8,000 |
| 3-bed family home | SEK 16,000-25,000 | SEK 11,000-16,000 | SEK 9,000-14,000 | SEK 7,000-11,000 |
| Detached house (rent) | SEK 20,000-35,000 | SEK 15,000-25,000 | SEK 12,000-20,000 | SEK 8,000-14,000 |
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