City Comparison

Ithaca vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ithaca

New York
94
Below Average
$324,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

3.1%

Living in Ithaca costs 3.1% less than Stockholm. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Ithaca, you would need $77,394 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
117
Ithaca
118
Stockholm
Groceries
103
Ithaca
92
Stockholm
Utilities
102
Ithaca
88
Stockholm
Transportation
96
Ithaca
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
99
Ithaca
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ithaca has the same purchasing power as $77,394 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $72,680 in Ithaca.

Living in Ithaca vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Ithaca's housing index of 117 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $324,000 vs $445,000. The $121,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Ithaca compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Ithaca and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Ithaca vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Ithaca and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Ithaca vs $352 in Stockholm. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Ithaca and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,600 in Ithaca and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,702 and $51,546 respectively. Ithaca residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Ithaca vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ithaca is 3.1% more affordable overall with an index of 94 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Ithaca has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,394 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Ithaca's housing index is 117 with median homes at $324,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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