City Comparison

Stockholm vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Stockholm

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

5.8%

Living in Stockholm costs 5.8% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Stockholm, you would need $79,639 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Stockholm
105
Surprise
Groceries
92
Stockholm
100
Surprise
Utilities
88
Stockholm
102
Surprise
Transportation
108
Stockholm
106
Surprise
Healthcare
82
Stockholm
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Stockholm has the same purchasing power as $79,639 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $70,631 in Stockholm.

Living in Stockholm vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Stockholm's housing index of 118 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $445,000 vs $419,000. The $26,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,692 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Stockholm compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in Stockholm and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Stockholm vs $475/month in Surprise. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Stockholm and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Stockholm vs $408 in Surprise. 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 82 in Stockholm and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $50,000 in Stockholm and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,546 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,167/month to housing in Stockholm vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 5.8% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Stockholm has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,639 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Stockholm's housing index is 118 with median homes at $445,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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