For one person, living costs in Lulea are estimated at $1,820 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $35 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lulea actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,820 monthly including rent, or $1,075 excluding housing.
$1,820 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,946 with rent, or $1,941 without housing.
$2,946 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,073 including rent, or $2,808 for daily expenses alone.
$4,073 /mo
📊
Lulea sits 35–44% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (4%) – still relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.9KSEK 316.2K
$30.9KSEK 305.8K
$33.0KSEK 326.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.3KSEK 329.5K
$32.8KSEK 324.7K
$33.3KSEK 329.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$161SEK 1,593
$108SEK 1,072
$197SEK 1,949
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.36SEK 310
$19.81SEK 196
$34.85SEK 345
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.51SEK 262
$19.80SEK 196
$39.80SEK 394
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.47SEK 450
$26.43SEK 262
$63.6SEK 630
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.02SEK 347
$35.02SEK 347
$35.02SEK 347
Cinema Ticket
$12.85SEK 127
$11.36SEK 112
$14.73SEK 146
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$150SEK 1,488
$135SEK 1,336
$166SEK 1,641
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,570SEK 55.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120SEK 1,187
$78.0SEK 772
$161SEK 1,594
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.64SEK 323
$22.62SEK 224
$40.21SEK 398
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$120SEK 1,187
$78.8SEK 780
$177SEK 1,756
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$161SEK 1,592
$121SEK 1,194
$191SEK 1,890
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$783SEK 7,754
$658SEK 6,510
$901SEK 8,914
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$584SEK 5,780
$477SEK 4,722
$672SEK 6,650
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,449SEK 14.3K
$1,308SEK 12.9K
$2,033SEK 20.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,104SEK 10.9K
$972SEK 9,620
$1,550SEK 15.3K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,072SEK 30.4K
$2,797SEK 27.7K
$3,210SEK 31.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,194SEK 21.7K
$2,118SEK 21.0K
$2,274SEK 22.5K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,498SEK 24.7K
-
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: October 11, 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.
Lulea$1,820
Lulea$4,073
🏠Accommodation & Living
$584 32.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$404 22.2%
🍽Eating Out
$259 14.2%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$219 12%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$195 10.7%
🚌Getting Around
$88 4.9%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$71 3.9%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.1K 27.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$941 23.1%
🍽Eating Out
$984 24.2%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$250 6.1%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$433 10.6%
🚌Getting Around
$183 4.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$177 4.4%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $783 for a central one-bedroom, or $584 outside the center. At 31% of the average salary ($2,498), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,498, while typical expenses reach $1,820. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,730.
🛒Expect to spend about $404 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $96.0 for two – above the European average of $73.0.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $56.5 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $49.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Lulea has the 10th most expensive rice in Europe
⭐Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 97% of cities in Europe
⭐White bread is more expensive than 94% 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 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 $1,820 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 $2,498 take-home, most residents in Lulea can cover the $1,820 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,730 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 $783; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $584. Overall, the market runs from $584 to $783 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Lulea?
A regular gym membership in Lulea costs around $45.47 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 $404 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 $1,820. 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 $1,820 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 $1,820, so putting money aside takes more than $2,730 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.