Cost of living comparison
United States is 2.4 times more expensive than Sweden overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 22.7% more in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 36.8% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 12.3% less in United States
- Housing
-
pay 2.1 times more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 9.1 times more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 19.2% more in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 8.0% less in United States
The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, restaurants, and entertainment and sports in United States are more expensive than in Sweden. Expenses including transportation and clothing are lower in United States. Notably, childcare and housing are significantly more expensive in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Sweden, you would:
pay 22.7% more for restaurants
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$11.92
SEK120.82
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.45
SEK95.84
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.04
SEK20.69
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.93
SEK19.55
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 36.8% more for groceries
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.49
SEK25.20
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.18
SEK52.56
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$5.43
SEK55.09
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.74
SEK37.91
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.68
SEK47.41
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.19
SEK12.08
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.06
SEK10.71
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.13
SEK11.50
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.73
SEK17.53
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.67
SEK6.83
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.70
SEK7.11
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 12.3% less for transportation
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$6.64
SEK67.27
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$68.10
SEK690.39
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$26,850.74
SEK272,196.26
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$21.47
SEK217.60
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 2.1 times more for housing
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$30.29
SEK307.03
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$821.73
SEK8,330.16
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$641.62
SEK6,504.36
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$77.37
SEK784.36
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 9.1 times more for childcare
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$122.27
SEK1,239.55
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$3,135.75
SEK31,788.29
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 19.2% more for entertainment and sports
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.64
SEK67.33
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.78
SEK38.37
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$6.41
SEK64.96
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$38.70
SEK392.31
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.24
SEK144.32
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 8.0% less for clothing
|
Sweden
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$79.10
SEK801.83
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$35.56
SEK360.49
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$84.42
SEK855.82
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$125.14
SEK1,268.59
|
$111.08
|
|
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