Cost of Living in Sweden (2026)

COL Index: 65.5% of U.S. national average · Updated for 2026

Cost of Living Index

65.5%

vs U.S. average (100%)

Relative Cost

Below Average

Compared to U.S.

Currency

SEK

Salary Data

10 Jobs

Top 10 highest paying

Top 10 Jobs in Sweden — COL-Adjusted Salaries

Rank	Job Title	Local Salary	COL-Adjusted (SEK)
1	Surgeons / Doctors	194,127–634,958 SEK/mo	296,372–969,405 SEK/mo
2	Judges	163,121–533,850 SEK/mo	249,044–815,039 SEK/mo
3	Lawyers	132,114–432,742 SEK/mo	201,705–660,673 SEK/mo
4	Bank Managers	124,430–407,128 SEK/mo	189,973–621,574 SEK/mo
5	Chief Executive Officers	116,611–381,514 SEK/mo	178,036–582,465 SEK/mo
6	Chief Financial Officers	108,792–355,900 SEK/mo	166,098–543,356 SEK/mo
7	Orthodontists	104,883–343,767 SEK/mo	160,124–524,837 SEK/mo
8	College Professors	93,289–304,672 SEK/mo	142,428–465,148 SEK/mo
9	Pilots	77,786–254,792 SEK/mo	118,759–389,000 SEK/mo
10	Marketing Directors	69,967–229,178 SEK/mo	106,821–349,891 SEK/mo

* COL-adjusted salary is shown in SEK, restated at the purchasing power implied by the cost of living index for Sweden.

Salary vs. Cost of Living by Category in Sweden

Category	Avg. Salary (Local)	COL-Adjusted (SEK)	Purchasing Power
AI & Machine Learning	186,847 SEK	285,259 SEK	+53%
Finance & Accounting	184,691 SEK	281,973 SEK	+53%
Business Administration	205,856 SEK	314,284 SEK	+53%
Advertising	156,461 SEK	238,867 SEK	+53%
Architecture	158,739 SEK	242,349 SEK	+53%
Automotive & Car Industry	153,050 SEK	233,666 SEK	+53%
Aviation	188,465 SEK	287,731 SEK	+53%
Banking	221,359 SEK	337,953 SEK	+53%
Construction	151,460 SEK	231,235 SEK	+53%
Counseling	150,867 SEK	230,329 SEK	+53%
Customer Service	121,316 SEK	185,215 SEK	+53%
Education & Teaching	158,429 SEK	241,875 SEK	+53%
Energy	172,153 SEK	262,825 SEK	+53%
Engineering	144,503 SEK	220,616 SEK	+53%
Manufacturing	165,143 SEK	252,123 SEK	+53%
Fitness & Sports	109,857 SEK	167,725 SEK	+53%
Hospitality	157,108 SEK	239,856 SEK	+53%
Healthcare	408,880 SEK	624,242 SEK	+53%
Human Resources	152,660 SEK	233,068 SEK	+53%
Import & Export	118,606 SEK	181,074 SEK	+53%
Insurance	171,749 SEK	262,207 SEK	+53%
Information Technology	155,571 SEK	237,518 SEK	+53%
Law & Legal Services	241,041 SEK	367,998 SEK	+53%
Marketing	169,322 SEK	258,509 SEK	+53%
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	218,123 SEK	333,009 SEK	+53%
Public Relations	141,821 SEK	216,516 SEK	+53%
Procurement	156,636 SEK	239,135 SEK	+53%
Quality Control	137,507 SEK	209,935 SEK	+53%
Real Estate	182,129 SEK	278,059 SEK	+53%
Sales	184,556 SEK	281,767 SEK	+53%
Telecommunications	137,264 SEK	209,564 SEK	+53%

Cost of Living in Sweden — Overview

The cost of living in Sweden is 65.5% of the U.S. national average. This makes Sweden a more affordable destination compared to the United States. Your salary goes further here, especially for housing, food, and services.

Purchasing Power in Sweden

A salary with the purchasing power of the U.S. national average works out at approximately 1,572,522 SEK in Sweden for the same standard of living. This means your money goes further in Sweden, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and expats.

Cost of Living Categories in Sweden

Housing

Housing in countries with a cost index of 65.5% tends to be the largest expense, often consuming 30-40% of income. Rent, utilities, and property costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Food

Groceries and dining out in countries at 65.5% COL can vary widely. Local markets offer lower prices while imported goods cost more. Cooking at home is generally more affordable.

Transportation

Public transit and fuel costs in a 65.5% COL country. Many countries have efficient public transportation systems that reduce the need for personal vehicles.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs and insurance in 65.5% COL countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Education

Education and childcare costs vary greatly with COL index. Public education is often subsidized while international schools charge premium fees.

Utilities

Electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. Weather patterns affect utility usage and costs significantly.

Clothing

Apparel costs in 65.5% COL environments. Imported brands cost more while local clothing is generally affordable.

Entertainment

Leisure activities and entertainment expenses. Costs for cinema, dining, and recreational activities scale with the overall COL index.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in SEK · singhyogendra.com.np

Surgeons / Doctors194,127 – 634,958414,543 SEK
Judges163,121 – 533,850348,486 SEK
Lawyers132,114 – 432,742282,428 SEK
Bank Managers124,430 – 407,128265,779 SEK
Chief Executive Officers116,611 – 381,514249,063 SEK
Chief Financial Officers108,792 – 355,900232,346 SEK
Orthodontists104,883 – 343,767224,325 SEK
College Professors93,289 – 304,672198,981 SEK
Pilots77,786 – 254,792166,289 SEK
Marketing Directors69,967 – 229,178149,573 SEK

singhyogendra.com.np

Top Paying Jobs in Sweden

See the full list of highest paying careers and salaries in Sweden.

Best Paying Jobs in Sweden

Take-Home Pay in Sweden

Estimate your after-tax salary and see how much you keep after deductions in Sweden.

Take-Home Pay in Sweden

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sweden?

The cost of living in Sweden is 65.5% of the U.S. national average. This means it is less expensive than living in the average U.S. city.

How is the cost of living in Sweden calculated?

The cost of living index is based on prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services compared to the U.S. national average of 100.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Sweden?

Salaries in Sweden should be adjusted by the cost of living index to keep the same purchasing power. A salary equivalent to the U.S. national average corresponds to roughly 1,572,522 SEK in Sweden.