Dotted with coastal lakes, glacial mountains, and boreal forests, Sweden is an exciting place to start the next chapter of your life. In addition to excellent job prospects in cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg, there are medieval towns with royal palaces and museums to explore. The stunning landscape and architecture will be a feast for your eyes.
If you’re looking to move to Sweden and are curious about the cost of living there, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we have broken down every aspect of living costs in Sweden. And with our destination guide, you can start preparing for this new adventure.
Housing
Accommodation should be your top priority when considering the cost of living in Sweden. You can search for flats to rent through the housing companies run by local municipalities. On the contrary, you can also choose to buy a house. We have provided a comparative cost analysis of rent, purchasing a property and basic utility bills to help you make an informed choice.
Monthly Rent in Sweden
| Apartment Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 9,100 kr | £670 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | 6,800 kr | £500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 14,500 kr | £1,070 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | 10,700 kr | £800 |
Buying an Apartment in Sweden
| Location | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Apartment in City Centre | 60,500 kr per square metre | £4,500 per square metre |
| Apartment outside City Centre | 30,050 kr per square metre | £2,200 per square metre |
Monthly Utility Bills
| Utility Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Basic (Electricity, Water, Heating, Waste) for 85 m²
Apartment |
960 kr | £ 70 |
| Mobile Phone Plan with Calls and 10 GB+ Data | 300 kr | £ 22 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 310 kr | £ 23 |
Daily Expenses
If you are calculating the cost of living in Sweden, you must add daily expenses to your list. These expenses will vary based on whether you choose to eat out or dine in at home, buy a car or use public transport. However, budgeting them will save you money in the long run.
Groceries
| Item | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Milk (1 litre, regular) | 14.5 kr | £1 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500 grams) | 26 kr | £2 |
| Rice (1 kg, white) | 30 kr | £2.20 |
| Eggs (12, regular) | 37 kr | £2.70 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | 104 kr | £7.70 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | 107 kr | £8 |
| Beef Round (1 Kg) | 170 kr | £12.5 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 30 kr | £2.20 |
| Banana (1 kg) | 24 kr | £1.80 |
| Potato (1 kg) | 14 kr | £1 |
| Onion (1 kg) | 14.5 kr | £1 |
| Bottle of Wine (mid-range) | 100 kr | £7.40 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-litre bottle) | 18.5 kr | £1.40 |
Dining Out
| Item | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Meal for 2 People (mid-range restaurant, three courses) | 800 kr | £60 |
| McDonald’s McMeal (or equivalent combo meal) | 90 kr | £6.50 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | 70 kr | £5 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 41 kr | £3 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | 21 kr | £1.50 |
Transport
| Item | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| One-way Ticket (local transport) | 35 kr | £2.60 |
| Monthly Pass (regular price) | 835 kr | £62 |
| Taxi Start (Normal tariff) | 60 kr | £4.40 |
| Taxi Start 1 Km (Normal Tariff) | 19 kr | £2.20 |
| Taxi 1 hour waiting (Normal Tariff) | 590 kr | £44 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | 20 kr | £1.50 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4L 90 KW Trendline | 250,000 kr | £18,500 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6L 97 KW Comfort | 260,600 kr | £19.300 |
If Stockholm is your Swedish city of choice, read our blog on moving to Stockholm.
Healthcare and Education
Sweden has a world-class and attractive public system from schools to community programs. The healthcare system here is excellent with most of it being financed via taxes paid to the region. Similarly, public schools and universities in Sweden are free from tuition fees for residents. However, as an expat, you may choose to opt for private services. As such, we have broken down the costs below.
Healthcare
| Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Cold Medicine (1 week) | 70 kr | £5.20 |
| 1 Box of Antibiotics (12 doses) | 210 kr | £15.50 |
| GP Consultation (15 mins) | 250 kr | £18.50 |
| Specialist Appointment | 400 kr | £30 |
| Hospital Stay (per night) | 100 kr | £7 |
Education
| Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Daycare or Preschool (1 month) | 1,460 kr | £110 |
| International Primary School (1 year) | 49,000 kr | £3,600 |
| International Secondary School (1 year) | 65,000 kr | £4,800 |
Recreation
As of August 2023, Sweden still ranks first for the highest quality of life. This is due to the excellent recreational opportunities here which contribute to a better work-life balance. If you are thinking of moving to Sweden, you must take advantage of its recreational benefits.
Sports and Fitness
| Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Fitness Club (monthly fee for 1 adult) | 370 kr | £27 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 hour – weekend rate) | 260 kr | £ 19 |
Leisure
| Type | Average Price (SEK)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| 2 Tickets to the Movies | 310 kr | £23 |
| 2 Tickets to the Theatre (best seats) | 1140 kr | £85 |
| 1 Cocktail in a Downtown Club | 145 kr | £11 |
| 1 Beer in a Neighbourhood Pub (500 ml, or 1 pt.) | 75 kr | £5.50 |
So, how much will it cost you to live in Sweden? On average, it costs £2,650 without rent, per month, for a family of four to live there. The same for one person is approximately £720. This makes Sweden’s cost of living around 3.2% lower than that of the UK and an attractive option when relocating.
Would you like a relocation plan curated just for you? Our 60 years of experience in international removals means that our experts are equipped to cater to your needs. Let’s prepare for your voyage to Sweden.
*All prices are approx. as of October 2023.
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