City Comparison

Sacramento vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sacramento

California
128
Expensive
$450,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$64,660
Median Income

Stockholm

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

The Verdict

32.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 32.0%, with Stockholm being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sacramento has equivalent purchasing power to $56,836 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
163
Sacramento
118
Stockholm
Groceries
104
Sacramento
92
Stockholm
Utilities
108
Sacramento
88
Stockholm
Transportation
111
Sacramento
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
106
Sacramento
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sacramento has the same purchasing power as $56,836 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $98,969 in Sacramento.

Living in Sacramento vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Sacramento's housing index of 163 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $445,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Sacramento compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Sacramento and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Sacramento vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 108 in Sacramento and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Sacramento 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 106 in Sacramento and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,660 in Sacramento and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $50,516 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 $1,509/month to housing in Sacramento vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Sacramento, median rent of $1,700/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 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 32.0% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Sacramento has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,836 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Sacramento's housing index is 163 with median homes at $450,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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