London vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
London
Stockholm
The Verdict
Stockholm is 18.6% less expensive than London overall. A household earning $75,000 in London would need approximately $63,261 in Stockholm to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $63,261 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $88,918 in London.
Living in London vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
London's housing index of 162 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $445,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $437/month in Stockholm. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London 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 78 in London and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,000 in London and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $51,546 respectively. Stockholm residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In London, median rent of $2,400/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 Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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