For one person, living costs in Karlskrona are estimated at $1,617 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $33 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Karlskrona actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $1,617 per month with rent, or $1,002 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,617 /mo
A couple spends around $2,525 per month with rent, or $1,719 for everyday expenses alone.
$2,525 /mo
A family of three spends around $3,434 per month with rent, or $2,437 without housing.
$3,434 /mo
📊
Overall, Karlskrona is about 22% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are close to average – just 8% lower.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4KSEK 330.6K
$33.4KSEK 330.6K
$33.4KSEK 330.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8KSEK 324.7K
$32.5KSEK 322.3K
$33.5KSEK 332.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.5SEK 510
$37.88SEK 375
$207SEK 2,047
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.15SEK 269
$14.87SEK 147
$29.65SEK 294
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.02SEK 367
$30.95SEK 307
$50.1SEK 496
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.67SEK 413
$29.02SEK 288
$50.0SEK 496
Cinema Ticket
$16.12SEK 160
$14.10SEK 140
$25.18SEK 250
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$159SEK 1,572
$121SEK 1,201
$404SEK 4,004
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.3SEK 973
$79.9SEK 792
$120SEK 1,188
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.03SEK 198
$14.96SEK 148
$90.4SEK 895
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.0SEK 783
$69.1SEK 685
$227SEK 2,251
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$171SEK 1,698
$117SEK 1,164
$392SEK 3,880
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$664SEK 6,583
$448SEK 4,444
$847SEK 8,393
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$564SEK 5,585
$296SEK 2,931
$705SEK 6,986
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,078SEK 10.7K
$833SEK 8,256
$1,323SEK 13.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$946SEK 9,373
$896SEK 8,880
$996SEK 9,867
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,898SEK 28.7K
$2,777SEK 27.5K
$3,019SEK 29.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,466SEK 24.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,479SEK 24.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.22
2.8
4.8
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Karlskrona$1,617
Karlskrona$3,434
🏠Accommodation & Living
$564 34.9%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$358 22.2%
🍽Eating Out
$235 14.5%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$166 10.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$116 7.2%
🚌Getting Around
$104 6.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$74 4.6%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$946 27.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$829 24.2%
🍽Eating Out
$785 22.9%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$369 10.7%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$143 4.2%
🚌Getting Around
$215 6.3%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$148 * 4.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $664, dropping to $564 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 27% of the average salary ($2,479) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $2,479 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,617. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $2,425.
🛒Groceries cost around $358 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $64.0 – broadly in line with the European average.
🚌A monthly public transport pass costs about $69.8 – above the European average of $49.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 95% of cities in Europe
⭐Rice is more expensive than 91% of cities in Europe
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Karlskrona - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Karlskrona compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Karlskrona offers a balanced mix of coastal charm and city services, giving you a lower-financial-stress feel than major capitals while keeping essential amenities close at hand. Housing tends to be more approachable than in Stockholm or Gothenburg, and you can find pleasant apartments near the water or in walkable neighborhoods. Daily expenses for food, transit, and entertainment scale with your choices – local markets and casual cafés provide good value, while dining in tourist spots can push costs up. Cost of Living in Karlskrona invites thoughtful budgeting around leases, utilities, and winter heating. Tip: plan a flexible budget and explore neighborhoods on foot.
When you arrive, what should you know about the daily routine – housing search, groceries, transport, coworking, and errands in Karlskrona?
Begin with a practical housing hunt by targeting areas with transit access and waterfront proximity. Short-term rentals are common while you get your bearings, but long-term leases often offer better monthly rates. For groceries and meals, well-stocked supermarkets and weekly markets provide value, and local bakeries or fishmongers add tasty options without a premium vibe. Transport relies on a compact city layout and reliable bus links; cycling is straightforward and inexpensive. coworking spaces cluster in the town center and near educational sites, with flexible passes ideal for nomads. Karlskrona living cost varies by season and neighborhood – plan accordingly. Tip: map your week around core amenities to minimize trips.
What factors influence your quality of life and how can you budget to maximize it while staying in Karlskrona?
Quality of life in Karlskrona comes from a slower pace, water views, and a real sense of community along the archipelago. Choose a neighborhood that fits your pace – historic center for easy errands, or quieter outskirts for longer stays. Build a budgeting framework around essentials (housing, utilities, transit) and flexible spending on food, experiences, and social activities. Save by cooking at home with seasonal produce, shopping at local markets, and taking advantage of off-peak deals and seasonal events. Seasonality shapes daylight, boating, and indoor opportunities, so shape your routine to long winter evenings and brighter summers. Tip: keep a simple monthly expense list to catch big costs early.
How much of a salary does housing take in Karlskrona?
Housing in Karlskrona takes a heavy bite – about 27% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
How much does it cost to live in Karlskrona per month?
Plan for roughly $1,617 a month in Karlskrona if you're renting, or around $1,002 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.
What salary is needed for a comfortable life in Karlskrona?
You'll want at least $2,425 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Karlskrona. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is the average rent for an apartment in Karlskrona?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Karlskrona runs about $664 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $564. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How much should I budget for food per month in Karlskrona?
Groceries in Karlskrona run about $358 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
What is a monthly transit pass in Karlskrona?
Public transport in Karlskrona costs about $69.8 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.
Is $2,500 a month enough for Karlskrona?
$2,500 is below the $1,617 average in Karlskrona, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Karlskrona a good city to live in long-term?
Quality of life in Karlskrona is solid. Standout factors include fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, backed by good public transport, varied dining and leisure, and well-maintained infrastructure. At about $1,617 monthly all-in, it suits mid-range budgets for a comfortable – if not luxurious – lifestyle.
Is Karlskrona a cheap city to live in?
Karlskrona is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,617, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Karlskrona vs other spots: cost of living compared