Cost of Living in Sweden

A realistic guide to what it costs to live in Sweden, from rent and food to healthcare and driving licences.

All prices are approximate and apply to 2025/2026. Costs vary depending on where in Sweden you live. Major cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are generally more expensive than smaller municipalities.

    💼 Salary & income

    SEK/month
    Entry-level salary (common jobs, before tax) 25 000 – 30 000 kr/mån
    Average salary in Sweden (before tax) 38 000 kr/mån
    Median salary in Sweden (before tax) 35 600 kr/mån
    Entry-level salary after tax (approx. 30%) 17 500 – 21 000 kr/mån
    Average salary after tax 26 600 kr/mån

    The tax rate varies between municipalities (28–35%). Salaries are higher in major cities but so is the cost of living. Sweden has no statutory minimum wage, wages are regulated through collective agreements.

    🏠 Housing

    Rent, 1-bedroom (small municipality) 3 500 – 5 500 kr/mån
    Rent, 1-bedroom (major city) 8 000 – 14 000 kr/mån
    Rent, 3-bedroom (small municipality) 5 500 – 8 000 kr/mån
    Rent, 3-bedroom (major city) 11 000 – 18 000 kr/mån
    Electricity (apartment, average) 500 – 1 500 kr/mån
    Broadband (fibre) 250 – 400 kr/mån
    Home insurance 150 – 350 kr/mån

    🛒 Food & groceries

    Food cost per month (1 person) 3 000 – 5 000 kr/mån
    Milk (1 litre) 14 – 18 kr
    Bread (loaf) 25 – 40 kr
    Chicken breast (1 kg) 80 – 120 kr
    Rice (1 kg) 20 – 35 kr
    Eggs (12-pack) 35 – 55 kr
    Lunch out (dish of the day) 120 – 170 kr
    Coffee at a café 40 – 60 kr

    🚗 Transport

    Monthly public transport pass 600 – 1 000 kr/mån
    Petrol (1 litre) 17 – 20 kr
    Diesel (1 litre) 18 – 22 kr
    Car insurance (comprehensive) 500 – 1 200 kr/mån
    Vehicle tax (average) 1 000 – 5 000 kr/år
    Vehicle inspection 400 – 500 kr/år
    Parking (major city, per month) 1 000 – 3 000 kr/mån

    🪪 Driving licence

    Driving licence total (driving school) 15 000 – 30 000 kr
    Driving lesson (80 min) 700 – 1 000 kr
    Theory test 325 kr
    Practical driving test 800 kr
    Learner's permit 150 kr
    Risk training (skid + alcohol) 2 500 – 4 000 kr

    Tip: You can practise driving privately with a supervisor and save thousands. EU/EEA driving licences are valid in Sweden, others may need to be retaken.

    🏥 Healthcare

    Doctor visit (health centre) 200 – 300 kr
    Specialist visit 400 kr
    Emergency room 400 kr
    High-cost protection (per 12 months) max 1 400 kr
    Dental care (examination) 800 – 1 200 kr
    Dental high-cost protection (per 12 months) Statligt stöd fr.o.m. 3 000 kr
    Prescription medicine (high-cost protection) max 2 850 kr/år
    Healthcare children (under 18/20 years) Free

    Sweden has a high-cost protection scheme: after paying SEK 1,400 over 12 months, remaining visits are free. Children and young people have free healthcare in most regions.

    🎒 Children & education

    Preschool (max fee, 1 child) max 1 688 kr/mån
    Primary & secondary school Free
    School lunch Free
    University (EU/EEA citizens) Free
    University (non-EU/EEA) 80 000 – 295 000 kr/år
    SFI (Swedish for immigrants) Free

    📱 Phone & mobile

    Mobile plan (data + calls) 149 – 399 kr/mån
    Prepaid card 100 – 200 kr/mån

    ⚽ Leisure & entertainment

    Gym membership 250 – 500 kr/mån
    Cinema (1 ticket) 140 – 180 kr
    Streaming (Netflix/Spotify) 70 – 180 kr/mån
    Beer at a restaurant (40 cl) 70 – 95 kr
    Men's haircut 250 – 450 kr

    👕 Clothing

    Jeans (H&M/Lindex) 400 – 700 kr
    Sneakers (Nike/Adidas) 800 – 1 500 kr
    Winter jacket 1 500 – 4 000 kr

    Tip: Second-hand shops (Myrorna, Emmaus, Tradera, Blocket) are popular and a great way to save money, especially on winter clothes.

    Household calculator: your monthly cost

    Based on your selections above.

    💰 Other income & benefits

    SEK/month
    SEK/month

    Child benefit (SEK 1,250/child/month) is added automatically.

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