Cost of Living in Lulea - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,885 monthly including rent, or $1,167 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,023 with rent, or $1,986 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,161 including rent, or $2,805 for daily expenses alone.

Lulea sits 41–47% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (6%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.89 SEK 120
$9.13 SEK 85.2
$16.10 SEK 150
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.8 SEK 875
$72.9 SEK 680
$208 SEK 1,944
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.01 SEK 112
$11.79 SEK 110
$12.33 SEK 115
Cappuccino
$4.65 SEK 43.39
$3.61 SEK 33.71
$6.72 SEK 62.7
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56 SEK 23.88
$1.54 SEK 14.40
$4.12 SEK 38.47
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 SEK 19.25
$1.61 SEK 14.98
$4.29 SEK 40.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.46 SEK 78.9
$7.40 SEK 69.0
$10.04 SEK 93.7
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.98 SEK 93.2
$8.94 SEK 83.4
$9.98 SEK 93.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 SEK 18.02
$1.39 SEK 12.99
$2.36 SEK 22.01
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 SEK 33.15
$2.45 SEK 22.88
$4.26 SEK 39.74
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.02 SEK 46.86
$3.64 SEK 33.97
$7.49 SEK 69.9
Eggs
$4.95 SEK 46.21
$4.51 SEK 42.12
$5.68 SEK 53.0
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.91 SEK 120
$10.37 SEK 96.8
$14.67 SEK 137
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.97 SEK 130
$10.51 SEK 98.0
$16.70 SEK 156
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$27.38 SEK 255
$11.49 SEK 107
$52.2 SEK 487
Apples (1kg)
$2.69 SEK 25.13
$1.61 SEK 15.04
$3.22 SEK 30.08
Banana (1kg)
$2.80 SEK 26.15
$2.13 SEK 19.84
$2.97 SEK 27.75
Oranges (1kg)
$2.62 SEK 24.49
$2.58 SEK 24.11
$2.70 SEK 25.15
Tomato (1kg)
$4.52 SEK 42.17
$4.19 SEK 39.12
$4.85 SEK 45.22
Potato (1kg)
$2.18 SEK 20.33
$1.57 SEK 14.67
$3.04 SEK 28.41
Onion (1kg)
$1.64 SEK 15.26
$1.60 SEK 14.88
$1.71 SEK 15.92
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.42 SEK 31.88
$1.84 SEK 17.21
$4.41 SEK 41.12
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 SEK 13.53
$0.93 SEK 8.68
$1.86 SEK 17.37
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.45 SEK 69.5
$6.91 SEK 64.5
$7.77 SEK 72.5
Wine (Bottle)
$12.66 SEK 118
$9.43 SEK 88.0
$16.86 SEK 157
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83 SEK 17.10
$1.56 SEK 14.53
$2.05 SEK 19.13
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 SEK 16.77
$1.66 SEK 15.49
$1.87 SEK 17.42
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.36 SEK 31.39
$3.15 SEK 29.35
$3.57 SEK 33.34
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.1 SEK 561
$59.1 SEK 551
$79.5 SEK 742
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.53 SEK 88.9
$9.01 SEK 84.0
$10.17 SEK 94.9
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 SEK 16.00
$1.71 SEK 16.00
$2.07 SEK 19.36
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$75.1 SEK 700
$75.1 SEK 700
$75.1 SEK 700
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.89 SEK 17.60
$1.81 SEK 16.87
$1.93 SEK 17.97
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0K SEK 298.4K
$31.8K SEK 296.4K
$32.2K SEK 300.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9K SEK 325.5K
$33.5K SEK 313.0K
$36.2K SEK 338.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$174 SEK 1,627
$117 SEK 1,095
$213 SEK 1,991
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.07 SEK 309
$32.09 SEK 299
$35.73 SEK 333
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.42 SEK 265
$21.24 SEK 198
$42.68 SEK 398
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.17 SEK 459
$28.60 SEK 267
$68.8 SEK 642
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.67 SEK 342
$36.67 SEK 342
$36.67 SEK 342
Cinema Ticket
$13.75 SEK 128
$12.17 SEK 114
$15.77 SEK 147
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$159 SEK 1,481
$143 SEK 1,330
$175 SEK 1,632
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,764 SEK 53.8K
$734 SEK 6,845
$5,764 SEK 53.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$125 SEK 1,168
$81.5 SEK 760
$168 SEK 1,568
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.73 SEK 315
$23.38 SEK 218
$41.57 SEK 388
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$126 SEK 1,175
$82.7 SEK 771
$186 SEK 1,738
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 SEK 1,605
$129 SEK 1,204
$204 SEK 1,906
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$791 SEK 7,376
$681 SEK 6,357
$996 SEK 9,291
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$578 SEK 5,395
$488 SEK 4,555
$675 SEK 6,300
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,413 SEK 13.2K
$1,361 SEK 12.7K
$1,884 SEK 17.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,053 SEK 9,824
$983 SEK 9,169
$1,241 SEK 11.6K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,337 SEK 31.1K
$3,038 SEK 28.3K
$3,486 SEK 32.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,379 SEK 22.2K
$2,297 SEK 21.4K
$2,466 SEK 23.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,732 SEK 25.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.2
3
4.8

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

Last update: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $791 for a central one-bedroom, or $578 outside the center. At 29% of the average salary ($2,732), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,732, while typical expenses reach $1,885. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,828.

Expect to spend about $428 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $94.0 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $60.1 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Lulea has the 10th most expensive rice in Europe

White bread is more expensive than 96% of cities in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 95% of cities in Europe

Lulea 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 Lulea - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lulea, Sweden generally affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it stack up against other Nordic cities?
Cost of Living in Lulea, Sweden sits on the mid-to-high end among Nordic cities, with housing and heating shaping the budget. You will value clean public services, reliable transport, and access to nature that can reduce entertainment costs. Daily expenses are flexible: choosing to cook at home, shop at markets, or use seasonal discounts lowers costs without sacrificing quality. For short visits, staying in well-connected neighborhoods and exploring free outdoor activities helps keep daily costs reasonable. For longer stays, the balance between rent and access to services makes value clear in the right area. Tip: Plan ahead and compare options to stretch your budget.
What does daily life look like in Lulea for housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Knowing the Lulea, Sweden living cost helps you map a practical budget for rent, groceries, and transit as you settle in. When searching for housing, start with local agencies and university boards, and expect seasonal demand shifts. In daily life you will find well-stocked supermarkets, local dairy and fish options, and seasonal produce that can keep meals affordable. Transport runs on a solid bus network, bicycles are common in milder months, and winters require planning for delays. For errands, central neighborhoods simplify shopping and essential services. Tip: schedule grocery runs during market days to maximize value.
What budgeting framework or seasonal considerations help improve quality of life in Lulea, and how to choose a neighborhood that fits?
Quality of life in Lulea blends practical budgeting with seasonal rhythm and neighborhood fit. Use a simple monthly framework: housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure; set a target for each category and adjust as needed. In winter, plan for heating and longer evenings with indoor activities; in summer, daylight and outdoor options can lower entertainment costs when you take advantage of parks, shores, and community events. Choose a neighborhood with easy access to amenities, transit, and nature for a balanced routine after work. Tip: keep a lightweight fallback plan for weather delays and use public libraries and community spaces to stretch your budget.
Is Lulea expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Lulea is moderately priced at about $1,885 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Lulea?
With 29% of the average paycheck going to rent, Lulea is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
Can you save money on an average salary in Lulea?
At $2,732 take-home, most residents in Lulea can cover the $1,885 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,828 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Lulea?
Where you live in Lulea makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $791; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $578. Overall, the market runs from $578 to $791 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lulea?
A regular gym membership in Lulea costs around $49.17 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 Lulea?
Expect to spend around $428 per month on groceries in Lulea. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Lulea?
Living on $2,000 in Lulea means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,885. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Lulea?
Lulea offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $1,885 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Lulea?
Monthly expenses in Lulea run around $1,885, so putting money aside takes more than $2,828 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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