Raleigh vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Stockholm
The Verdict
Living in Stockholm costs 5.2% less than Raleigh. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Raleigh, you would need $71,324 in Stockholm.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $71,324 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $78,866 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $445,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Raleigh and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $67,266 in Raleigh and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $51,546 respectively. Raleigh residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. 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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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