Cost of Living in Gothenburg - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,130 monthly including rent, or $1,110 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,228 with rent, or $1,906 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,327 including rent, or $2,701 for daily expenses alone.

Gothenburg sits 53–59% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 17% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.92 SEK 130
$12.32 SEK 115
$21.41 SEK 200
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$92.9 SEK 866
$53.1 SEK 495
$127 SEK 1,188
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 SEK 96.5
$9.83 SEK 91.6
$13.35 SEK 124
Cappuccino
$4.99 SEK 46.48
$3.24 SEK 30.16
$6.48 SEK 60.4
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 SEK 29.03
$2.60 SEK 24.24
$4.34 SEK 40.43
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 SEK 24.29
$2.12 SEK 19.78
$3.40 SEK 31.69
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.42 SEK 69.2
$6.25 SEK 58.3
$9.44 SEK 88.0
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.90 SEK 73.6
$6.32 SEK 58.9
$9.48 SEK 88.3
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 SEK 15.81
$1.28 SEK 11.95
$2.08 SEK 19.40
White Bread (500g)
$2.92 SEK 27.18
$1.70 SEK 15.81
$4.19 SEK 39.02
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.33 SEK 31.03
$2.14 SEK 19.96
$5.13 SEK 47.87
Eggs
$4.49 SEK 41.81
$3.00 SEK 27.94
$7.36 SEK 68.7
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.55 SEK 108
$7.85 SEK 73.2
$17.59 SEK 164
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.61 SEK 118
$8.60 SEK 80.2
$19.35 SEK 180
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.33 SEK 171
$10.36 SEK 96.6
$31.07 SEK 290
Apples (1kg)
$3.20 SEK 29.79
$1.62 SEK 15.13
$4.34 SEK 40.42
Banana (1kg)
$2.77 SEK 25.85
$1.94 SEK 18.12
$3.23 SEK 30.14
Oranges (1kg)
$3.00 SEK 27.94
$1.71 SEK 15.95
$4.27 SEK 39.83
Tomato (1kg)
$4.28 SEK 39.91
$2.12 SEK 19.72
$6.35 SEK 59.2
Potato (1kg)
$1.67 SEK 15.55
$1.02 SEK 9.55
$2.26 SEK 21.10
Onion (1kg)
$1.92 SEK 17.89
$1.28 SEK 11.96
$2.98 SEK 27.78
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.23 SEK 20.82
$1.51 SEK 14.06
$4.18 SEK 38.95
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56 SEK 14.57
$0.93 SEK 8.67
$2.61 SEK 24.34
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.08 SEK 75.3
$7.28 SEK 67.9
$10.50 SEK 97.9
Wine (Bottle)
$15.37 SEK 143
$8.78 SEK 81.9
$21.95 SEK 205
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 SEK 20.95
$1.61 SEK 14.98
$3.21 SEK 29.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52 SEK 23.51
$1.56 SEK 14.56
$3.65 SEK 34.01
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.91 SEK 36.49
$3.81 SEK 35.56
$3.91 SEK 36.49
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$91.4 SEK 852
$89.8 SEK 837
$92.5 SEK 862
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$10.43 SEK 97.3
$6.53 SEK 60.8
$12.85 SEK 120
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.58 SEK 14.71
$1.52 SEK 14.16
$2.85 SEK 26.60
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$62.4 SEK 581
$62.4 SEK 581
$84.5 SEK 788
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.89 SEK 17.60
$1.67 SEK 15.57
$1.98 SEK 18.43
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K SEK 301.8K
$32.4K SEK 301.8K
$35.2K SEK 328.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8K SEK 333.3K
$34.9K SEK 324.9K
$37.5K SEK 350.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$138 SEK 1,286
$84.3 SEK 786
$358 SEK 3,341
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.41 SEK 237
$12.67 SEK 118
$36.42 SEK 340
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.88 SEK 362
$29.13 SEK 272
$53.0 SEK 494
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.09 SEK 383
$26.09 SEK 243
$52.2 SEK 487
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.82 SEK 231
$20.90 SEK 195
$31.35 SEK 292
Cinema Ticket
$17.53 SEK 163
$15.56 SEK 145
$22.82 SEK 213
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$176 SEK 1,636
$127 SEK 1,183
$211 SEK 1,971
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,060 SEK 37.8K
$3,725 SEK 34.7K
$4,242 SEK 39.5K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.9 SEK 819
$41.79 SEK 390
$115 SEK 1,071
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.54 SEK 378
$21.49 SEK 200
$75.2 SEK 701
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.5 SEK 890
$62.2 SEK 580
$135 SEK 1,256
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$157 SEK 1,460
$107 SEK 999
$214 SEK 1,998
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,106 SEK 10.3K
$835 SEK 7,782
$1,565 SEK 14.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$858 SEK 7,997
$629 SEK 5,866
$1,258 SEK 11.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,899 SEK 17.7K
$1,273 SEK 11.9K
$2,440 SEK 22.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,396 SEK 13.0K
$1,038 SEK 9,675
$1,972 SEK 18.4K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,719 SEK 62.6K
$6,073 SEK 56.6K
$7,377 SEK 68.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,871 SEK 36.1K
$2,900 SEK 27.0K
$5,012 SEK 46.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,064 SEK 37.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.33
3
5

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

Last update: May 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,106 for a central one-bedroom, or $858 outside the center. At 27% of the average salary ($4,064), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,064, while typical expenses reach $2,130. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $380 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $93.0 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $91.4 per month – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 93% of cities in Europe

Cappuccino is more expensive than 91% of cities in Europe

Gothenburg Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Gothenburg - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gothenburg compare in affordability, and who typically finds value here?
In overall terms, Cost of Living in Gothenburg, Sweden sits in the mid-range for Nordic cities, offering good value for those who want a high quality of life without the sky-high price tag found elsewhere. You’ll find a sensible balance between housing in central neighborhoods and more affordable pockets a short transit ride away, with dining and activities that suit a range of budgets. Seasonal tourism can push prices up briefly, but long-term living remains reasonable for families, remote workers, and students who choose wisely. The vibe is practical: efficient public transit, bike-friendly streets, and a strong local market scene. Tip: choose neighborhoods that balance commute, green space, and local amenities to maximize value.
What does daily life look like in Gothenburg, including housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
You approach housing by weighing central proximity against garden or harbor access. In Gothenburg, neighborhoods like Haga or Vasastan offer walkable centers, while Majorna or Örgryte bring lower rents and bigger outdoor spaces. Food options range from bustling markets to seasonal produce at co-ops, with restaurants bridging Nordic flavors and international dishes. Transport runs on reliable trams and bicycle routes; many carry season passes for savings. For errands, you’ll find well-stocked supermarkets and efficient service hubs near central districts. Finding a few coworking spaces or cafes with good wifi can smooth remote work days. Gothenburg, Sweden living cost varies with neighborhood and season, so plan around work and recreation. Tip: map a couple of test days to estimate daily pacing.
What quality of life and budgeting strategies work best in Gothenburg for travelers and residents, considering seasonality and neighborhood fit?
You’ll frame a practical budget by dividing essentials, flexible needs, and discretionary spend. In Gothenburg, you feel a tangible rhythm across seasons: you’ll rely more on warmth and utilities in winter, and on outdoor activities in milder months. Build a framework around housing costs by neighborhood type, public transit use, and shared spaces. Save by cooking at home, choosing markets, and taking advantage of free events near the coast or in parks. Neighborhood fit matters: if you want nightlife, pick central districts; if you crave quiet, look toward the outer harbors. Tip: pace your outings with off-peak transit and seasonal markets for better value.
Is Gothenburg worth the cost of living?
At around $2,130 monthly all-in, Gothenburg offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Gothenburg expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Gothenburg is moderately priced at about $2,130 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you save money on an average salary in Gothenburg?
At $4,064 take-home, most residents in Gothenburg can cover the $2,130 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,194 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Gothenburg?
Where you live in Gothenburg makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,106; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $858. Overall, the market runs from $858 to $1,106 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Gothenburg?
A regular gym membership in Gothenburg costs around $41.09 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Gothenburg?
Expect to spend around $380 per month on groceries in Gothenburg. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $1,500 monthly in Gothenburg?
Living on $1,500 in Gothenburg means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,130. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Can you retire comfortably in Gothenburg?
Retirees thrive in Gothenburg – living costs average around $2,130 monthly, healthcare is affordable and accessible, and the overall vibe supports a fulfilling, low-stress retirement.

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