Cost of Living in Lulea - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,865 monthly including rent, or $1,142 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,060 with rent, or $2,142 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,256 including rent, or $3,142 for daily expenses alone.

Lulea sits 40–50% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (4%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.56 SEK 121
$8.90 SEK 85.8
$15.70 SEK 151
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$94.6 SEK 911
$73.6 SEK 709
$210 SEK 2,025
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.60 SEK 112
$11.39 SEK 110
$11.91 SEK 115
Cappuccino
$4.87 SEK 46.91
$3.78 SEK 36.44
$7.03 SEK 67.8
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 SEK 24.56
$1.54 SEK 14.81
$4.10 SEK 39.55
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 SEK 19.01
$1.54 SEK 14.80
$4.10 SEK 39.52
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.57 SEK 82.6
$7.49 SEK 72.2
$10.17 SEK 98.0
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.97 SEK 96.0
$8.92 SEK 86.0
$9.97 SEK 96.0
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.93 SEK 18.64
$1.39 SEK 13.44
$2.36 SEK 22.76
White Bread (500g)
$3.42 SEK 32.98
$2.36 SEK 22.77
$4.10 SEK 39.54
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.07 SEK 48.86
$3.68 SEK 35.42
$7.56 SEK 72.9
Eggs
$4.74 SEK 45.70
$4.32 SEK 41.66
$5.44 SEK 52.4
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.76 SEK 123
$10.24 SEK 98.7
$14.49 SEK 140
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.05 SEK 135
$10.56 SEK 102
$16.79 SEK 162
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$28.00 SEK 270
$11.76 SEK 113
$53.3 SEK 514
Apples (1kg)
$2.61 SEK 25.15
$1.56 SEK 15.05
$3.12 SEK 30.10
Banana (1kg)
$2.76 SEK 26.58
$2.09 SEK 20.18
$2.93 SEK 28.21
Oranges (1kg)
$2.60 SEK 25.03
$2.56 SEK 24.64
$2.67 SEK 25.71
Tomato (1kg)
$4.36 SEK 42.04
$4.05 SEK 39.01
$4.68 SEK 45.08
Potato (1kg)
$2.23 SEK 21.48
$1.61 SEK 15.50
$3.11 SEK 30.01
Onion (1kg)
$1.66 SEK 15.95
$1.61 SEK 15.56
$1.73 SEK 16.64
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.48 SEK 33.52
$1.88 SEK 18.09
$4.49 SEK 43.23
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 SEK 13.84
$0.92 SEK 8.88
$1.84 SEK 17.76
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.42 SEK 71.5
$6.88 SEK 66.3
$7.73 SEK 74.5
Wine (Bottle)
$12.34 SEK 119
$9.19 SEK 88.6
$16.41 SEK 158
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 SEK 18.15
$1.60 SEK 15.42
$2.11 SEK 20.30
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 SEK 17.87
$1.71 SEK 16.50
$1.93 SEK 18.55
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.36 SEK 32.35
$3.14 SEK 30.25
$3.57 SEK 34.36
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$58.3 SEK 562
$57.3 SEK 552
$77.1 SEK 742
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.54 SEK 91.9
$9.02 SEK 86.9
$10.18 SEK 98.1
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.73 SEK 16.68
$1.73 SEK 16.68
$2.09 SEK 20.18
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$74.5 SEK 718
$74.5 SEK 718
$74.5 SEK 718
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.89 SEK 18.22
$1.81 SEK 17.46
$1.93 SEK 18.59
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2K SEK 310.2K
$32.0K SEK 308.1K
$32.4K SEK 312.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7K SEK 343.7K
$34.3K SEK 330.5K
$37.0K SEK 356.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$176 SEK 1,692
$118 SEK 1,138
$215 SEK 2,070
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.87 SEK 307
$30.93 SEK 298
$34.44 SEK 332
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.56 SEK 275
$21.34 SEK 206
$42.89 SEK 413
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.58 SEK 468
$28.25 SEK 272
$68.0 SEK 655
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.54 SEK 352
$36.54 SEK 352
$36.54 SEK 352
Cinema Ticket
$13.73 SEK 132
$12.15 SEK 117
$15.75 SEK 152
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$163 SEK 1,566
$146 SEK 1,406
$179 SEK 1,726
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,827 SEK 56.2K
$742 SEK 7,146
$5,827 SEK 56.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$124 SEK 1,190
$80.3 SEK 774
$166 SEK 1,597
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.60 SEK 324
$23.29 SEK 224
$41.40 SEK 399
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$130 SEK 1,252
$85.3 SEK 822
$192 SEK 1,852
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$170 SEK 1,643
$128 SEK 1,232
$202 SEK 1,951
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$806 SEK 7,765
$694 SEK 6,692
$1,015 SEK 9,780
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$589 SEK 5,675
$497 SEK 4,792
$688 SEK 6,627
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,441 SEK 13.9K
$1,388 SEK 13.4K
$1,922 SEK 18.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,081 SEK 10.4K
$1,008 SEK 9,718
$1,274 SEK 12.3K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,107 SEK 29.9K
$2,829 SEK 27.3K
$3,246 SEK 31.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,323 SEK 22.4K
$2,242 SEK 21.6K
$2,408 SEK 23.2K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,654 SEK 25.6K
-
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: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $806 for a central one-bedroom, or $589 outside the center. At 30% of the average salary ($2,654), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,654, while typical expenses reach $1,865. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,797.

Expect to spend about $426 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $95.0 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $58.3 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

White bread is more expensive than 95% of cities in Europe

Local beer is more expensive than 94% 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 $1,865 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 30% 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 $2,654 take-home, most residents in Lulea can cover the $1,865 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,797 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 $806; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $589. Overall, the market runs from $589 to $806 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lulea?
A regular gym membership in Lulea costs around $48.58 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 $426 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 $1,865. 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 $1,865 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 $1,865, so putting money aside takes more than $2,797 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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