Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Stockholm and Issaquah, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Stockholm: $2,580 a month against $3,081 in Issaquah, WA, rent and utilities included – about $6,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Issaquah, WA outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Stockholm
🇸🇪 Sweden
$2,580
/mo nomad
Issaquah, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,081
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Stockholm and in Issaquah, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Stockholm and in Issaquah, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,580 per month in Stockholm vs $3,081 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

  • Stockholm $2,580
  • Issaquah, WA $3,081

A couple spends around $3,916 per month in Stockholm vs $4,453 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

  • Stockholm $3,916
  • Issaquah, WA $4,453

A family of three spends $5,251 per month in Stockholm vs $5,826 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

  • Stockholm $5,251
  • Issaquah, WA $5,826

Stockholm is about 16% cheaper than Issaquah, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Stockholm and Issaquah, WA sit above the global median – Stockholm by 90%, Issaquah, WA by 127%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.12 SEK 180
$25.35 $25.35
-28.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$103 SEK 1,019
$79.2 $79.2
29.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.12 SEK 120
$11.72 $11.72
3.41%
Cappuccino
$5.22 SEK 51.7
$4.80 $4.80
8.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63 SEK 35.97
$3.21 $3.21
13.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 SEK 31.18
$2.05 $2.05
53.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.22 SEK 81.5
$7.18 $7.18
14.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.81 SEK 87.3
$6.90 $6.90
27.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 SEK 17.44
$1.44 $1.44
22.22%
White Bread (500g)
$4.04 SEK 39.99
$5.37 $5.37
-24.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.94 SEK 39.08
$5.77 $5.77
-31.72%
Eggs
$5.06 SEK 50.2
$5.52 $5.52
-8.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.02 SEK 129
$16.18 $16.18
-19.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.87 SEK 128
$15.31 $15.31
-15.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.96 SEK 218
$17.76 $17.76
23.65%
Apples (1kg)
$3.59 SEK 35.62
$5.82 $5.82
-38.32%
Banana (1kg)
$2.82 SEK 27.92
$2.25 $2.25
25.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.27 SEK 32.43
$4.10 $4.10
-20.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.41 SEK 43.67
$4.59 $4.59
-3.92%
Potato (1kg)
$1.80 SEK 17.85
$2.32 $2.32
-22.41%
Onion (1kg)
$1.75 SEK 17.34
$2.36 $2.36
-25.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.49 SEK 24.71
$1.81 $1.81
37.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.41 SEK 23.91
$3.05 $3.05
-20.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.02 SEK 89.4
$12.33 $12.33
-26.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.09 SEK 120
$18.79 $18.79
-35.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 SEK 20.28
$1.68 $1.68
22.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 SEK 26.12
$4.96 $4.96
-46.77%
🚌 Getting Around
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.37 SEK 43.25
$2.81 $2.81
55.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$106 SEK 1,052
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.87 SEK 58.2
$2.65 $2.65
121.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 SEK 15.33
$1.64 $1.64
-5.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$57.6 SEK 570
$30.47 $30.47
88.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.80 SEK 17.88
$1.34 $1.34
34.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9K SEK 335.7K
$28.4K $28.4K
19.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K SEK 332.4K
$26.9K $26.9K
24.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$246 SEK 2,437
$227 $227
8.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.36 SEK 212
$63.1 $63.1
-66.14%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.80 SEK 404
$84.9 $84.9
-51.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.86 SEK 484
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.17 SEK 388
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$18.76 SEK 186
$15.27 $15.27
22.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$158 SEK 1,570
$2,107 $2,107
-92.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.7K SEK 165.7K
$31.5K $31.5K
-46.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$113 SEK 1,121
$61.7 $61.7
83.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.2 SEK 596
$44.65 $44.65
34.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$136 SEK 1,350
$84.0 $84.0
62.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$186 SEK 1,845
$74.9 $74.9
148.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,670 SEK 16.5K
$2,079 $2,079
-19.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,075 SEK 10.7K
$1,682 $1,682
-36.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,045 SEK 30.2K
$3,231 $3,231
-5.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,789 SEK 17.7K
$2,763 $2,763
-35.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$11.3K SEK 111.7K
$4,117 $4,117
173.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,484 SEK 64.2K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Stockholm
Issaquah, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,590 SEK 35.6K
$6,290 $6,290
-42.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.37
6.64
-49.25%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Stockholm: October 18, 2026

Last update for Issaquah, WA: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Stockholm
$1.1K
Issaquah, WA
$1.7K 56.5% $607
Groceries & Markets
Stockholm
$421
Issaquah, WA
$485 15.3% $64
Eating Out
Stockholm
$330
Issaquah, WA
$366 11.1% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stockholm
$308
Issaquah, WA
$375 21.8% $67
Clothing & Footwear
Stockholm
$223
Issaquah, WA
$119 46.5% $104
Getting Around
Stockholm
$137
Issaquah, WA
$22 * 83.9% $115
Sport & Entertainment
Stockholm
$86
Issaquah, WA
$31 * 64.6% $56

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,670 in Stockholm versus $2,079 in Issaquah, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 75% higher in Issaquah, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $103 in Stockholm versus $79.0 in Issaquah, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $421 in Stockholm vs $485 in Issaquah, WA – so Stockholm wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇸🇪 Stockholm
🇺🇸 Issaquah, WA
🕒 Local time
06:09 6:09 AM
21:09 9:09 PM
9 h behind Stockholm
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
984,748 Capital
40,051
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SEK – Swedish Krona Converter

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of October 23, 2026: 1 USD = 9.91 SEK (1 SEK = 0.101 USD). 1 EUR = 11.14 SEK (100 SEK = 8.98 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 23, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Stockholm Issaquah, WA 7,590 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Stockholm
  • Issaquah, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Stockholm vs Issaquah, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Issaquah, WA cheaper than Stockholm?
Yes – Issaquah, WA is pricier by about 19%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,870 per month in Stockholm and $4,621 in Issaquah, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Stockholm, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Stockholm and in Issaquah, WA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,580 in Stockholm and $3,081 in Issaquah, WA. That's a gap of about 19%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $158 per month in Stockholm and $2,107 in Issaquah, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,000 enough to cover costs in Stockholm or in Issaquah, WA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,580 in Stockholm and $3,081 in Issaquah, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Stockholm or Issaquah, WA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Stockholm – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Stockholm or Issaquah, WA?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Stockholm. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Issaquah, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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