Cost of living in United States compared to Sweden
Currency:
| Food | + 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 28% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (203 kr) | 137 kr | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (114 kr) | 110 kr | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.90 (56 kr) | 66 kr | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (10 kr) | 17 kr | - 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.64 (54 kr) | 41 kr | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.83 (46 kr) | 36 kr | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (73 kr) | 65 kr | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.22 (40 kr) | 30 kr | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.29 (22 kr) | 19 kr | + 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.82 (36 kr) | 19 kr | + 93% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (172 kr) | 120 kr | + 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.97 (28 kr) | 29 kr | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.03 (29 kr) | 16 kr | + 80% | |
| Housing | + 68% | |||
| Housing in United States is 68% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,077 (29,220 kr) | 17,624 kr | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,368 (22,488 kr) | 11,975 kr | + 88% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $237 (2,254 kr) | 1,400 kr | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,237 (21,245 kr) | 13,069 kr | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,636 (15,535 kr) | 8,837 kr | + 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $171 (1,625 kr) | 370 kr | + 340% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (582 kr) | 204 kr | + 186% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $251 (2,382 kr) | 4,458 kr | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $153 (1,454 kr) | 1,261 kr | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (150 kr) | 84 kr | + 79% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (321 kr) | 372 kr | - 14% | |
| Clothes | - 24% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 24% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (553 kr) | 1,143 kr | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (471 kr) | 449 kr | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (1,001 kr) | 1,329 kr | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $142 (1,346 kr) | 1,421 kr | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 9% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 9% cheaper than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,884 (293,256 kr) | 313,739 kr | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 (9 kr) | 17 kr | - 48% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (803 kr) | 815 kr | - 2% | |
| Personal Care | + 64% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 64% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (91 kr) | 98 kr | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (233 kr) | 147 kr | + 58% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $168 (1,594 kr) | 328 kr | + 386% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $10 (92 kr) | 65 kr | + 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.27 (50 kr) | 41 kr | + 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (68 kr) | 43 kr | + 58% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.09 (48 kr) | 33 kr | + 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.41 (23 kr) | 28 kr | - 17% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (298 kr) | 356 kr | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | + 34% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 34% more expensive than in Sweden | ||||
| United States | Sweden | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (578 kr) | 504 kr | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $31 (293 kr) | 271 kr | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $250 (2,370 kr) | 921 kr | + 157% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $105 (998 kr) | 931 kr | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (143 kr) | 180 kr | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.99 (57 kr) | 56 kr | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (72 kr) | 67 kr | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $464 (4,405 kr) | 4,366 kr | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.52 (4.91 kr) | 2.00 kr | + 146% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (679 kr) | 496 kr | + 37% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (107 kr) | 75 kr | + 43% | |
| TOTAL | + 28% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,213 prices entered by 1,841 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.495
SEK
/
USD
Cost of living in United States is 28% more expensive than in Sweden
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