Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | + 34% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 34% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (213 kr) | 138 kr | + 54% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (112 kr) | 98 kr | + 14% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.75 (63 kr) | 72 kr | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (12 kr) | 15 kr | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.95 (54 kr) | 43 kr | + 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.65 (51 kr) | 37 kr | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (76 kr) | 56 kr | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.51 (49 kr) | 30 kr | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.36 (26 kr) | 14 kr | + 80% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.26 (36 kr) | 20 kr | + 83% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (171 kr) | 120 kr | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.92 (32 kr) | 24 kr | + 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.83 (31 kr) | 20 kr | + 54% | |
| Housing | + 56% | |||
| Housing in United States is 56% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,965 (32,379 kr) | 20,714 kr | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,266 (24,746 kr) | 14,675 kr | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $224 (2,445 kr) | 2,161 kr | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,996 (21,801 kr) | 13,744 kr | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,511 (16,496 kr) | 9,774 kr | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $150 (1,640 kr) | 1,410 kr | + 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (695 kr) | 328 kr | + 111% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $294 (3,207 kr) | 4,739 kr | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $141 (1,537 kr) | 1,437 kr | + 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (153 kr) | 113 kr | + 35% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (355 kr) | 261 kr | + 36% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (613 kr) | 916 kr | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 (521 kr) | 440 kr | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 (1,043 kr) | 1,029 kr | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $126 (1,373 kr) | 1,461 kr | - 6% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 8% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,752 (303,043 kr) | 341,519 kr | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 (11 kr) | 21 kr | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 (904 kr) | 891 kr | + 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 92% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 92% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (95 kr) | 70 kr | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (258 kr) | 211 kr | + 23% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $151 (1,653 kr) | 252 kr | + 556% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (97 kr) | 37 kr | + 160% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.89 (53 kr) | 34 kr | + 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (75 kr) | 37 kr | + 102% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.89 (53 kr) | 32 kr | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.20 (24 kr) | 19 kr | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (313 kr) | 289 kr | + 8% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 18% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $56 (615 kr) | 467 kr | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (316 kr) | 310 kr | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $230 (2,513 kr) | 1,140 kr | + 121% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $91 (997 kr) | 898 kr | + 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (153 kr) | 145 kr | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.40 (59 kr) | 44 kr | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (72 kr) | 76 kr | - 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $558 (6,093 kr) | 7,556 kr | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (2.16 kr) | 1.96 kr | + 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $61 (662 kr) | 445 kr | + 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (114 kr) | 69 kr | + 64% | |
| TOTAL | + 26% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 22,918 prices entered by 2,864 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
10.920
SEK
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 26% more expensive than in Sweden
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