Cost of Living in Lulea - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,919 monthly including rent, or $1,297 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,101 with rent, or $2,320 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,283 including rent, or $3,342 for daily expenses alone.

Lulea sits 40–46% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (3%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.44 SEK 120
$7.25 SEK 69.8
$16.14 SEK 155
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.1 SEK 953
$83.5 SEK 803
$209 SEK 2,007
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.59 SEK 111
$11.38 SEK 109
$11.90 SEK 114
Cappuccino
$4.58 SEK 44.02
$3.55 SEK 34.18
$6.60 SEK 63.5
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 SEK 25.36
$1.60 SEK 15.37
$4.25 SEK 40.93
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 SEK 18.92
$1.54 SEK 14.78
$4.09 SEK 39.34
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.32 SEK 89.7
$8.57 SEK 82.5
$10.19 SEK 98.0
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.80 SEK 94.2
$8.76 SEK 84.3
$9.80 SEK 94.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.87 SEK 17.99
$1.35 SEK 13.01
$2.29 SEK 22.01
White Bread (500g)
$3.43 SEK 32.99
$2.37 SEK 22.75
$4.12 SEK 39.63
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.91 SEK 47.22
$3.55 SEK 34.20
$7.32 SEK 70.5
Eggs
$4.67 SEK 44.90
$4.25 SEK 40.89
$5.35 SEK 51.4
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.63 SEK 121
$10.14 SEK 97.6
$14.35 SEK 138
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.62 SEK 131
$10.25 SEK 98.6
$16.29 SEK 157
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$27.73 SEK 267
$11.64 SEK 112
$52.8 SEK 508
Apples (1kg)
$2.66 SEK 25.56
$1.60 SEK 15.38
$3.19 SEK 30.65
Banana (1kg)
$2.82 SEK 27.17
$2.15 SEK 20.65
$3.00 SEK 28.85
Oranges (1kg)
$2.50 SEK 24.03
$2.47 SEK 23.75
$2.57 SEK 24.69
Tomato (1kg)
$4.35 SEK 41.83
$4.04 SEK 38.87
$4.67 SEK 44.88
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 SEK 21.37
$1.61 SEK 15.46
$3.10 SEK 29.84
Onion (1kg)
$1.55 SEK 14.93
$1.52 SEK 14.65
$1.62 SEK 15.59
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.44 SEK 33.12
$1.86 SEK 17.89
$4.44 SEK 42.73
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 SEK 12.36
$0.91 SEK 8.80
$1.53 SEK 14.70
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.17 SEK 69.0
$6.65 SEK 64.0
$7.49 SEK 72.0
Wine (Bottle)
$12.68 SEK 122
$9.45 SEK 90.9
$16.88 SEK 162
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 SEK 18.11
$1.61 SEK 15.46
$2.11 SEK 20.28
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 SEK 17.69
$1.70 SEK 16.32
$1.91 SEK 18.38
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.42 SEK 32.92
$3.11 SEK 29.96
$3.53 SEK 33.97
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$57.6 SEK 554
$56.6 SEK 544
$76.1 SEK 732
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.51 SEK 91.5
$8.98 SEK 86.4
$10.15 SEK 97.6
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.25 SEK 21.64
$2.03 SEK 19.57
$2.78 SEK 26.78
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$71.9 SEK 692
$71.9 SEK 692
$71.9 SEK 692
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.76 SEK 16.96
$1.64 SEK 15.74
$1.83 SEK 17.61
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K SEK 322.3K
$32.4K SEK 311.7K
$34.6K SEK 332.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8K SEK 344.0K
$35.2K SEK 339.0K
$35.8K SEK 344.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 SEK 1,661
$116 SEK 1,118
$211 SEK 2,032
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.34 SEK 311
$20.43 SEK 197
$35.94 SEK 346
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.89 SEK 268
$20.83 SEK 200
$41.88 SEK 403
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.35 SEK 475
$28.69 SEK 276
$69.1 SEK 664
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.98 SEK 356
$36.98 SEK 356
$36.98 SEK 356
Cinema Ticket
$13.46 SEK 129
$11.90 SEK 114
$15.42 SEK 148
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$161 SEK 1,550
$145 SEK 1,392
$178 SEK 1,708
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,808 SEK 55.9K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$123 SEK 1,180
$79.8 SEK 768
$165 SEK 1,584
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.18 SEK 329
$23.69 SEK 228
$42.11 SEK 405
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$126 SEK 1,209
$82.6 SEK 794
$186 SEK 1,789
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$166 SEK 1,597
$125 SEK 1,198
$197 SEK 1,897
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$806 SEK 7,757
$677 SEK 6,513
$927 SEK 8,917
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$600 SEK 5,769
$490 SEK 4,713
$690 SEK 6,638
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,533 SEK 14.7K
$1,384 SEK 13.3K
$2,150 SEK 20.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,151 SEK 11.1K
$1,013 SEK 9,749
$1,616 SEK 15.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,240 SEK 31.2K
$2,950 SEK 28.4K
$3,385 SEK 32.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,346 SEK 22.6K
$2,265 SEK 21.8K
$2,432 SEK 23.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,633 SEK 25.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.85
2.8
4.8

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

Last update: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $806 for a central one-bedroom, or $600 outside the center. At 31% of the average salary ($2,633), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,633, while typical expenses reach $1,919. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,879.

Expect to spend about $420 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $99.0 for two – above the European average of $77.0.

Public transport is priced at around $57.6 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $50.0.

Cost Highlights

Lulea has the 10th most expensive rice in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 96% of cities in Europe

Local beer is more expensive 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 $1,919 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 31% 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 $2,633 take-home, most residents in Lulea can cover the $1,919 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,879 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 $600. Overall, the market runs from $600 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 $49.35 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 $420 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 $1,919. 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 $1,919 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 $1,919, so putting money aside takes more than $2,879 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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