Moving to Sweden from New Zealand
What to Expect
Considering a move from New Zealand to Sweden? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from New Zealand to Sweden, you would find that Sweden is 1.3% more expensive than New Zealand overall. A NZ$125,240 salary in New Zealand would need to be roughly SEK737,145 in Sweden to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Swedish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Stockholm averages 52°F vs 62°F in Wellington, making it significantly cooler.
How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between New Zealand and Sweden.
What does your salary buy?
NZ$125,240 → SEK737,145
To maintain the same standard of living in Sweden
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 13.2% more
Groceries
pay 15.5% more
Transportation
pay 24.1% more
Housing
pay 9.5% less
Childcare
pay 72.5% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 13.5% more
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
Get free moving quotes to Sweden
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from New Zealand to Sweden.
people moved from New Zealand to Sweden · OECD (latest data available)
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Sweden compared to New Zealand.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
New Zealand generally does better on safety, though Sweden leads in road traffic deaths.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
New Zealand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sweden leads in doctors per 10,000 people.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Sweden performs significantly better than New Zealand across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
annual consumption — reflects grid capacity
Sweden performs significantly better than New Zealand across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
the highest marginal rate on personal income
New Zealand generally does better on employment & economy, though Sweden leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
Sweden performs significantly better than New Zealand across all family life metrics.
Data: New Zealand Inland Revenue Department, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Wellington | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 69°/58°F (21°/14°C) | 36°/28°F (2°/-2°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 59°/49°F (15°/10°C) | 61°/45°F (16°/7°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 56°/46°F (13°/8°C) | 69°/56°F (21°/13°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 64°/53°F (18°/12°C) | 43°/36°F (6°/2°C) |
View all months
| Month | Wellington | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 70°/58°F (21.2°/14.7°C) | 34°/27°F (1.0°/-2.9°C) |
| Feb | 70°/59°F (21.3°/14.8°C) | 34°/26°F (1.2°/-3.2°C) |
| Mar | 68°/56°F (19.8°/13.5°C) | 40°/30°F (4.7°/-1.1°C) |
| Apr | 63°/53°F (17.4°/11.5°C) | 51°/37°F (10.7°/2.6°C) |
| May | 59°/49°F (15.2°/9.7°C) | 62°/45°F (16.5°/7.1°C) |
| Jun | 56°/46°F (13.1°/7.9°C) | 69°/53°F (20.8°/11.6°C) |
| Jul | 54°/44°F (12.3°/6.9°C) | 74°/59°F (23.6°/14.8°C) |
| Aug | 55°/45°F (12.9°/7.4°C) | 72°/58°F (22.1°/14.2°C) |
| Sep | 58°/48°F (14.5°/8.8°C) | 62°/50°F (16.6°/10.2°C) |
| Oct | 60°/50°F (15.8°/10.0°C) | 50°/42°F (10.1°/5.5°C) |
| Nov | 64°/53°F (17.5°/11.4°C) | 42°/35°F (5.4°/1.9°C) |
| Dec | 67°/56°F (19.6°/13.5°C) | 36°/30°F (2.5°/-1.2°C) |
Data:
New Zealand National Meteorological Service,
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between New Zealand and Sweden. To live, work, or study long-term in Sweden, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Sweden's immigration authority.
New Zealand passport holder visiting Sweden
Visa Free
Sweden passport holder visiting New Zealand
Electronic Travel AuthorisationData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Sweden than New Zealand?
On average Sweden is around 6% pricier than New Zealand, with notable variation by city.
How much money do I need to move to Sweden?
Budget about SEK184,286 for 3 months in Sweden (based on a NZ$125,240 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, rental deposit, visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Sweden?
Connectivity is usually fine (Sweden: 40.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Sweden offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Sweden safe for expats?
New Zealand generally does better on safety, though Sweden leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Sweden is 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in New Zealand.
How is healthcare in Sweden compared to New Zealand?
New Zealand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sweden leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 71.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Sweden, compared to 35.7 in New Zealand. Sweden scores 85 on the WHO universal health coverage index (New Zealand: 85).
What's the weather like in Sweden compared to New Zealand?
The average high temperature in Stockholm is 52°F, compared to 62°F in Wellington. Stockholm receives around 21.5 in of rainfall per year, while Wellington gets 37.7 in.
What language do they speak in Sweden?
The official language in Sweden is Swedish. In New Zealand, the official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
