😐A single person spends $1,666 per month in Halmstad vs $1,211 in St. Albert, AB, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,595 per month in Halmstad vs $2,515 in St. Albert, AB, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,524 per month in Halmstad vs $3,819 in St. Albert, AB, rent included.
😐Halmstad costs about 38% more than St. Albert, AB, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Halmstad sits 21% above the global median, while St. Albert, AB is 12% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.63SEK 132
$20.19CA$28.00
-32.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.6SEK 694
$70.9CA$98.4
0.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.81SEK 115
$10.14CA$14.07
16.47%
Cappuccino
$4.64SEK 45.01
$4.01CA$5.56
15.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94SEK 28.45
$2.20CA$3.05
33.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39SEK 23.20
$1.91CA$2.64
25.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.12SEK 69.0
$4.97CA$6.90
43.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.73SEK 74.9
$5.72CA$7.93
35.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.49SEK 14.40
$1.78CA$2.47
-16.29%
White Bread(500g)
$2.65SEK 25.73
$2.21CA$3.06
19.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.17SEK 30.74
$3.20CA$4.44
-0.94%
Eggs
$3.43SEK 33.24
$3.52CA$4.88
-2.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.92SEK 116
$11.67CA$16.19
2.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.22SEK 89.4
$11.69CA$16.21
-21.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.16SEK 166
$18.94CA$26.26
-9.40%
Apples(1kg)
$3.24SEK 31.41
$4.44CA$6.16
-27.03%
Banana(1kg)
$2.58SEK 25.00
$1.37CA$1.90
88.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.16SEK 30.66
$4.19CA$5.81
-24.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.26SEK 41.30
$4.12CA$5.71
3.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.52SEK 14.77
$2.58CA$3.59
-41.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.54SEK 14.90
$2.96CA$4.10
-47.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.04SEK 19.74
$2.65CA$3.68
-23.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98SEK 9.55
$1.54CA$2.14
-36.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.64SEK 64.3
$14.57CA$20.21
-54.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.06SEK 107
$12.32CA$17.08
-10.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21SEK 21.46
$2.56CA$3.54
-13.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25SEK 21.84
$2.95CA$4.09
-23.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.85SEK 27.63
$2.17CA$3.00
31.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.6SEK 665
$64.0CA$88.8
7.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.33SEK 61.3
$2.88CA$4.00
119.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.76SEK 17.07
$1.42CA$1.97
23.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$62.2SEK 603
$21.92CA$30.40
183.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.81SEK 17.58
$1.14CA$1.59
58.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0KSEK 329.9K
$29.0KCA$40.2K
17.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9KSEK 338.1K
$20.2KCA$28.0K
72.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110SEK 1,066
$177CA$246
-38.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.76SEK 192
$39.73CA$55.1
-50.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.48SEK 354
$55.2CA$76.6
-33.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.77SEK 356
$41.23CA$57.2
-10.82%
Cinema Ticket
$17.35SEK 168
$13.05CA$18.09
32.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$158SEK 1,535
$795CA$1,103
-80.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,597SEK 44.6K
$9,682CA$13.4K
-52.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.2SEK 894
$57.7CA$80.0
59.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.01SEK 330
$38.84CA$53.9
-12.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.0SEK 911
$87.3CA$121
7.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137SEK 1,329
$109CA$151
25.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$597SEK 5,789
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$581SEK 5,631
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,125SEK 10.9K
$1,343CA$1,862
-16.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,025SEK 9,937
$1,141CA$1,583
-10.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,455SEK 43.2K
$2,588CA$3,590
72.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,635CA$3,655
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Halmstad
St. Albert, AB
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,357SEK 22.9K
$3,320CA$4,605
-29.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.06
4.48
-31.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Halmstad: September 7, 2026
Last update for St. Albert, AB: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 41% higher in St. Albert, AB, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $72.0 in Halmstad versus $71.0 in St. Albert, AB. Groceries tell a different story – $332 in Halmstad vs $371 in St. Albert, AB – so Halmstad wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Halmstad vs St. Albert, AB: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Halmstad or St. Albert, AB?
Halmstad costs about 38% more than St. Albert, AB, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Halmstad and in St. Albert, AB?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,500 per month in Halmstad and $1,817 in St. Albert, AB. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Are groceries more expensive in Halmstad or in St. Albert, AB?
Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Halmstad – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
How do dining costs compare in Halmstad and in St. Albert, AB?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $72.0 in Halmstad and $71.0 in St. Albert, AB. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Halmstad or in St. Albert, AB?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in St. Albert, AB, where all-in costs run around $1,211, than in Halmstad at $1,666. In St. Albert, AB it covers expenses comfortably, while in Halmstad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward St. Albert, AB – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Halmstad compared to St. Albert, AB?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Halmstad or to St. Albert, AB?
If budget matters most, go with St. Albert, AB. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Halmstad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.