Cost of Living in Sweden: Updated Prices, Other Countries Comparison

Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a beautiful and largest country in Northern Europe. It is known for its high quality of life and is an ideal place to study in Sweden, but before travelling to this fantastic nation, it’s essential to have an understanding of the cost of living in Sweden. This way, individuals can plan their budget effectively for their trip.

If you have decided to relocate to Sweden for your higher studies, you should be familiar with the recently updated data on the cost of living in Sweden. In this blog, we have given the detailed average cost of living in Sweden along with rent and other necessary expenses. Let us start examining it directly without any delay.

Cost of Living in Sweden

Excluding rental costs, the average monthly cost of living for a single person in Sweden is around SEK 10,200. However, the average rent in Sweden is between SEK 7000 and SEK 18,000 and can vary according to a person’s budget and lifestyle. Although the cost of living in Sweden can be high, this is balanced by the country’s high standard of living, excellent public services and overall quality of life.

In Sweden, how much you spend each month depends on a few key things like rent cost, food cost, utility bills, recreation costs, transportation, and more. Let’s break down some of these things so you can see what to expect. Check out the updated costs of living in Sweden:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in Sweden

Housing is one of the most significant parts of the cost of living in Sweden. The accommodation cost varies significantly depending on the location and the type of apartment you prefer. Generally around the city centre, the cost of apartments can be high but outside the city centre, it can be much lower. Students can select their residences according to their budget and facilities.

You can get a one-bedroom flat in Sweden for around SEK 10,111 rent per month for an individual in the city area, while a three-bedroom flat can cost up to SEK 15,552. You can find out the approx rent for housing in Sweden, both in the city centre and outside it, check out the table below:

Location	Apartment	Approx Monthly Cost
City Centre	Single-Bedroom Apartment	SEK 10,111
Outside the Centre	Single-bedroom Apartment	SEK 7,226
City Centre	Three-bedrooms Apartment	SEK 15,552
Outside the Centre	Three-bedrooms Apartment	SEK 11,822

Cost of a Utility in Sweden

In Sweden, you’ll typically spend around SEK 1,125 each month on basic utilities like electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage. This amount can change based on the area of an apartment, the time of year, and how much you use. We’ve already factored these utility costs into the overall cost of living in Sweden. Check out the table below for a breakdown of utility expenses in Sweden::

Utility Type	Approx Monthly Cost
Basic Utility for an apartment (Water, Electricity, Cooling, Heating and Garbage)	SEK 1,125
Internet Plan (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	SEK 328
Monthly Mobile Phone Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)	SEK 288

Restaurant Food Costs in Sweden 

Sweden is known for its vibrant culinary scene, offering a range of dining experiences from traditional Swedish dishes to international cuisine. Dining there offers a wide range of food options to suit different budgets and tastes.

The average cost of a meal in an affordable restaurant in Sweden is around SEK 125 and in a mid-range restaurant for 2 people, including three main courses, the average cost of a meal is around SEK 800. It’s always a good idea to check the menus and prices beforehand to get the best value for your dining experience in Sweden. Consider any special deals or promotions available.

Cost of Grocery in Sweden

Sweden, renowned for its high standard of living, also has a well-developed grocery market that caters to diverse dietary preferences. On average, basic items such as milk, bread, eggs, vegetables and fruits are available at affordable prices at local supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and speciality stores. 

Grocery costs are preliminary and can influence the cost of living in Sweden as preferences and quality can vary depending on factors such as seasonal availability and consumer demand. For your convenience, the average expense of groceries in Sweden is shown in the table below:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Apples (1kg)	SEK 29.64
Banana (1kg)	SEK 26.12
Oranges (1kg)	SEK 30.26
Tomato (1kg)	SEK 45.54
Potato (1kg)	SEK 15.98
Onion (1kg)	SEK 17.67
Regular Milk (1 litre)	SEK 16.14
Lettuce (1 head)	SEK 22.56
Cheese (1kg)	SEK 116.46
Rice (white), (1kg)	SEK 35.94
Regular Eggs (12)	SEK 41.46
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	SEK 29.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	SEK 14.83

Also Read: Cost of Living in Melbourne: An All-Expense Guide

Transportation Costs in Sweden 

Using public transportation in Sweden is a safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to move around such as buses, trains, trams and ferries. Generally, a one-way fare in Sweden is around SEK 35. However, transportation costs in Sweden vary based on how you choose to get around and how far you need to go. But to give you an idea, here are the typical prices for transportation in Sweden:

Transportation	Average cost
The regular price for a monthly pass	SEK 835
Local transport one-way ticket	SEK 35
The normal Tariff of Taxi Starts from	SEK 61
Normal tariff for 1 km taxi	SEK 20
Normal taxi fare for 1 hour Waiting	SEK 590
1-liter gasoline	SEK 19.44

Cost of Living in Sweden Compared to Other Countries

Compared to many other major metropolitan areas across the world, the cost of living in Sweden is quite manageable and it offers a high quality of life. For your reference, we’ve given the cost of living in Sweden compared to other countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Singapore and Dubai. So to give you an idea of ​​how affordable it is to live in Sweden compared to other countries or cities. Please have a look at the average cost of living in other states (without rent):

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Sweden
Cost of Living in the UK	SEK 10,870	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in the USA	SEK 12,263	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in Canada	SEK 11,156	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in Australia	SEK 11,675	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in South Africa	SEK 6,094	Lower than Sweden
Cost of Living in Ireland	SEK 11,219	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in Singapore	SEK 11,762	Higher than Sweden
Cost of Living in Dubai	SEK 11,473	Higher than Sweden

Average Cost of Tuition Fees in Sweden

Prospective students should check out and compare the costs of tuition for the programs and universities they’re interested in attending in Sweden. They should also look into financial help opportunities to decide wisely about studying in Sweden. Luckily, Sweden not only has excellent universities but also provides an affordable living environment and a safe atmosphere for all students.

For students, the main expenses in Sweden are usually the tuition fees at Swedish universities. We’ve gathered the average tuition fees from several universities in Sweden to make things easier for you. Check out the table below to see the costs at a glance.

Name of University in Sweden	Approx Tuition Fees
Karolinska Institutet	SEK 165000 – SEK 200000
Lund University	SEK 100000 – SEK 490000
Uppsala University	SEK 12000 – SEK 390000
Stockholm University	SEK 625000 – SEK 270000
KTH Royal Institute of Technology	SEK 122000 – SEK 326000
University of Gothenburg	SEK 59500 – SEK 572000

Living in Sweden can be wonderful and expensive but this can be balanced by its high standard of living, excellent public services and overall quality of life. By doing proper budgeting and understanding local expenses can help make your transition to Sweden smooth and financially manageable.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Lithuania: A Guide on Lithuania Expenses	Cost of Living in Seychelles: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Monaco: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Illinois: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Johannesburg: Overall Expenses Guide

FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Sweden. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.