Stockholm vs Tacoma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Stockholm
Tacoma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 17.1%, with Stockholm being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Stockholm has equivalent purchasing power to $90,464 in Tacoma.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Stockholm has the same purchasing power as $90,464 in Tacoma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $62,179 in Stockholm.
Living in Stockholm vs Tacoma
Housing Costs
Stockholm's housing index of 118 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $445,000 vs $400,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Stockholm compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Stockholm and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Stockholm vs $499/month in Tacoma. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Stockholm and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Stockholm vs $432 in Tacoma. 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 106 in Tacoma. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm and $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,546 and $50,405 respectively. Stockholm residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,167/month to housing in Stockholm vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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