Stockholm vs Tokyo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Stockholm
Tokyo
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.3%, with Tokyo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Stockholm has equivalent purchasing power to $63,402 in Tokyo.
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 $63,402 in Tokyo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $88,720 in Stockholm.
Living in Stockholm vs Tokyo
Housing Costs
Stockholm's housing index of 118 is higher Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $445,000 vs $450,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Stockholm compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Stockholm and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Stockholm vs $418/month in Tokyo. 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 88 in Stockholm and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Stockholm vs $340 in Tokyo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Stockholm and 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,546 and $51,220 respectively. Stockholm residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,167/month to housing in Stockholm vs $980/month in Tokyo. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases