Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Sweden

Hamzah Shaikh

Looking to make the move from South Africa to Sweden? Sweden consistently ranks as one of the happiest places to live, boasting a society built on sustainability and equality. It's a country where everyone can find their place. With its breathtaking natural landscapes and abundance of outdoor activities, from summer hikes to winter skiing, Sweden offers a lifestyle that many find fulfilling.

But before you rush to book your ticket, there are some essential factors to consider. This guide helps you uncover all that entails moving to Sweden, be it renting and transport costs or understanding how their health system works. We compare prices and more to help you manage and exchange money easily from Sweden to South Africa using Wise* at the mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more about Wise

Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.

*Wise Europe is not a bank. Wise Europe is an authorised Payment Institution incorporated as an SA in Belgium, supervised by the National Bank of Belgium.

How expensive is Sweden in comparison to South Africa

Sweden has a strong economic system. Due to the high-income earning potential, the country has a higher cost of living. Don’t let this discourage you – even with a high cost of living, the country on average costs 30% less than London and New York5 but around 75% higher than SA6.

The currency in Sweden

The currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona, plural Kronor (SEK). Although Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995, it has never adopted the Euro and has no plans to do so. It is not possible to pay with Euros in Sweden7.

Commonly used notes are 20 SEK, 50 SEK, 100 SEK and 500 SEK. Sweden, however, is very digitized and you will barely need to use cash in your time there. One thing you need to be aware of is the exchange rate. You can find out the latest conversion rates from Rands to the Krona using our online currency converter.

Get the mid-market rate for international money transfers to South Africa with Wise

If you’re a South African expat living in Sweden, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.

Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!

The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:


Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!

With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from Sweden to South Africa.

Join Wise!

Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.

Cost of living in Sweden vs. South Africa

The cost of living in Sweden is higher than 65% of the countries in Western Europe8. Stockholm, Sweden’s capital city, ranks 95thon Mercer’s list in terms of cost of living9.

Let’s break down significant expenses like rent, transportation, groceries, and healthcare, as well as take a look at average salaries to help you understand the average monthly cost of living in major Swedish cities.

Rental costs in Sweden

Renting in Sweden is approximately 82.2% higher than in South Africa6. The amount you pay depends primarily on where you choose to live. Living in the city centre of bigger cities will cost you more than living on the outskirts.

The following tables break down rents in major cities in Sweden.


Average monthly rent in Stockholm


Rental forAverage monthly rent in Stockholm10
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)16,478.88 kr

(28,273.98 R)

1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)9,988.45 kr

(17,137.88 R)

3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)26,452.16 kr

(45,385.83 R)

3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)17,053.57 kr

(29,260.01 R)

Average monthly rent in Gothenburg

Rental forAverage monthly rent in Gothenburg11
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)11,423.08 kr

(19,599.38 R)

1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)8,625.00 kr

(14,798.52 R)

3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)17,191.18 kr

(29,496.11 R)

3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)12,828.95 kr

(22,011.53 R)

Average monthly rent in Uppsala

Rental forAverage monthly rent in Uppsala12
1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)10,062.50 kr

(17,264.94 R)

1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)7,062.50 kr

(12,117.63 R)

3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre)14,500.00 kr

(24,878.67 R)

3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre)10,333.33 kr

(17,729.63 R)

Cost of groceries in Sweden

Sweden is home to some really popular grocery stores like ICA, Coop, Axfood, and even Lidl. The cost of items varies slightly between major cities, but the country offers a range of items to meet the requirements of its diverse population. We breakdown the costs of frequently purchased products in the tables below:

Average grocery costs in Stockholm

Basic groceriesAverage cost in Stockholm10
Bread26.81 kr

(46.01 R)

Milk58.99 kr

(101.21 R)

Eggs43.73 kr

(75.03 R)

Cheese51.31 kr

(88.04 R)

Chicken fillets (1kg)56.68 kr

(97.24 R)

Bottle of wine (mid-range)120.00 kr

(205.89 R)

Average grocery costs in Gothenburg

Basic groceriesAverage cost in Gothenburg11
Bread26.91 kr

(46.17 R)

Milk63.77 kr

(109.41 R)

Eggs41.21 kr

(70.71 R)

Cheese54.58 kr

(93.64 R)

Chicken fillets (1kg)58.76 kr

(100.82 R)

Bottle of wine (mid-range)120.00 kr

(205.89 R)


Average grocery costs in Uppsala

Basic groceriesAverage cost in Uppsala12
Bread29.63 kr

(50.85 R)

Milk65.61 kr

(112.58 R)

Eggs41.93 kr

(71.95 R)

Cheese51.79 kr

(88.85 R)

Chicken fillets (1kg)57.83 kr

(99.23 R)

Bottle of wine (mid-range)100.00 kr

(171.58 R)

Transport costs in Sweden

Sweden boasts of highly sophisticated public transportation systems, at great value. Purchase a monthly subway card and you will have unlimited access to the transport.

You barely need to use a car or hail a cab with the affordable bus, train, and subway system. Private transport providers like Flixbus and Nettbus connect cities allowing you to explore the country, along with their long running train system from city to city.

CategoryCost
1-way ticket in Stockholm1042.00 kr

(72.06 R)

Monthly transport pass in Stockholm101,020.00 kr

(1,750.09 R)

1-way ticket in Gothenburg1135.00 kr

(60.05 R)

Monthly transport pass in Gothenburg11752.17 Rs

(321.96 R)

1-way ticket in Uppsala1233.00 kr

(56.62 R)

Monthly transport pass in Uppsala121,000.00 kr

(1,715.77 R)

Eating out in Sweden

We have all wandered into an Ikea somewhere in the world and had the famous Swedish meatballs. While meatballs are a staple dish, that is not all they have. The country is widely spread and their cuisine reflects that, with the north and south offering very different delicacies. You should be prepared to spend a considerable amount if you want to eat out though since restaurants in Sweden are costlier than their European counterparts. We breakdown costs of eating out in different Swedish cities in the tables below:

Average meal costs in Stockholm

CategoryStockholm10
Meal, inexpensive restaurant150.00 kr

(257.37 R)

Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course851.57 kr

(1,461.11 R)

McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal)107.00 kr

(183.59 R)

Cappuccino (regular)44.62 kr

(76.56 R)


Average meal costs in Gothenburg

CategoryGothenburg11
Meal, inexpensive restaurant127.50 kr

(218.76 R)

Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course760.00 kr

(1,303.99 R)

McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal)95.50 kr

(163.86 R)

Cappuccino (regular)42.46 kr

(72.85 R)


Average meal costs in Uppsala

CategoryUppsala12
Meal, inexpensive restaurant145.00 kr

(248.79 R)

Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course650.00 kr

(1,115.25 R)

McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal)110.00 kr

(188.73 R)

Cappuccino (regular)43.12 kr

(73.99 R)

Study costs in Sweden

Sweden has a world-class higher education system. The Nordic country has an excellent system, which places more emphasis on group and independent study rather than lectures. The number of international students enrolled at Swedish universities and colleges is constantly growing, and the percentage of those who are admitted being more than 50%.

Universities like the Karolinska Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Lund University are world renowned for high quality education13.

South African students are required to pay tuition fees to study in Sweden. The costs range between 7,500 – 25,500 EUR/year depending on the study programme and university14. Getting an MBA or a master’s in Architecture is more expensive when compared to other courses. You also have to pay a university application fee, which is around 90 EUR and may vary depending on the institution14.

What is the average salary in Sweden?

In Sweden, the typical annual salary is approximately SEK 481,200 which is SEK 40,100 monthly16. However, it's important to recognize that this number isn't universally applicable. Your earning potential is significantly shaped by the industry you work in, educational qualification, and work experience. Below are tables showcasing the salary ranges for various prominent occupations in Sweden.

DesignationAverage salary in Sweden15
Financial Analyst250,000 Kr
Project Manager111,083 Kr
Software Engineer58,917 Kr
Journalist33,333 Kr
Graphic Designer129,417 Kr
Office Manager157,667 Kr
Professor67,000 Kr

What about healthcare costs in Sweden?

The healthcare system in Sweden is made up of both public and private sectors. Public healthcare services are administered and delivered by either the county council, local authority, or municipality. Funding for the healthcare system primarily comes from the government, through taxes collected. As patient, however, you would directly contribute to approximately 3% of the overall cost. This contribution entails a modest co-payment for each doctor's visit, typically ranging from 100 to 300 kronor. Emergency room visits incur a slightly higher fee of 300 kronor17.

Hospitalisation costs amount to around 120 kronor per day for the initial ten days, and subsequently, 60 kronor per day. Certain exemptions apply, such as for individuals under the age of 16 and those identified as vulnerable. Notably, there's a yearly cap of 1,100 kronor on the co-payment for the average citizen. While prescription drugs are not provided free of charge, they are reasonably priced. Patients are only required to pay a maximum of 2,200 kronor per year for prescription medications17. If the total exceeds this limit, the government covers the remaining balance.


All in all if you're considering a move from South Africa to Sweden, you're embarking on an exciting journey towards a high-quality lifestyle in a country renowned for its sustainability, innovation, and equality. While Sweden offers breathtaking landscapes and a wealth of outdoor activities, navigating its cost of living requires careful consideration. From housing to healthcare, understanding these factors ensures a smooth transition.

One smart way to avoid paying excess bank fees for international money transfers is to use Wise for international money transfers from Sweden to South Africa4.

Join Wise!

Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.


Sources:

  1. Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
  2. Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
  3. Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
  4. Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
  5. Costs in Sweden vs London and NYC
  6. Cost of living Sweden vs SA
  7. Currency in Sweden
  8. Sweden vs Western Europe
  9. Mercer’s cost of living index
  10. Cost of living in Stockholm
  11. Cost of living in Gothenburg
  12. Cost of living in Uppsala
  13. Top Swedish Universities
  14. Studying in Sweden
  15. Salary in Sweden
  16. Average salary in Sweden
  17. Healthcare in Sweden

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

Money without borders

Find out more

Tips, news and updates for your location