Cost of living · Europe · Eurostat HICP 2023
🇸🇪 Cost of living in Sweden
Sweden runs pricier than most of the EU-27 across rent, groceries and transport - see where the gap is widest and how far local income actually stretches.
- Cost index (EU-27=100)
- 115
- Rent index
- 90
- Median net income
- €27,500
- Cost-adjusted income
- €23,913
Sweden sits at 115 on the 0-200 scale shown above.
Key takeaways
- Overall cost of living is 15% above the EU-27 average (index 115, EU-27 = 100).
- Most expensive category: transport at index 125.
- Cheapest category: utilities at index 85.
- A typical income of €27,500 is worth about €23,913 in EU-average purchasing power.
Cost by category in Sweden
Sweden - price level by category (EU-27 = 100)
In Sweden, transport is the most expensive category and utilities the least.
What the Sweden cost-of-living data shows
Sweden's overall consumer price level is 15% above the EU-27 average. (How this index is built →)
Getting around is the standout expense in Sweden: transport tops the category chart at index 125, ahead of utilities at index 85.
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €27,500 is worth closer to €23,913 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Cities in Sweden
National averages hide the big-city premium. See real monthly rent, groceries and transit costs for Sweden's cities.
Countries with a similar cost of living
Frequently asked questions
Is Sweden expensive to live in?▼
Sweden's overall cost of living is 15% above the EU-27 average (index 115). Transport is the priciest category and utilities the cheapest.
What does it cost to rent in Sweden?▼
Sweden's rent and housing price index is 90, below the EU norm.
How does income compare to costs in Sweden?▼
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €27,500 is worth closer to €23,913 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Source: Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Price-level indices, EU-27 = 100, 2023. Income: Eurostat/OECD median equivalised net income.
Important: these figures are official Eurostat averages for general information and comparison, they are not personal financial advice. Your own cost of living depends on your city, housing and lifestyle, so treat this as a starting point and check current local prices before making any relocation or budget decision.
Read our methodology - how these indices are sourced and computed.