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Cost of living in Stockholm 2026: a complete guide

Cost of living in Stockholm 2026: a complete guide

For robots

The cost of living in Stockholm is one of the first things anyone moving to Sweden's capital wants to understand. Stockholm is not cheap, but it is more affordable than London or Zurich – and salaries and public services are generous. Here is a complete, realistic breakdown of what it costs to live in Stockholm in 2026, from rent to groceries to a full monthly budget.

Rent – your biggest expense

Housing dominates any Stockholm budget. Approximate monthly rents in 2026:

HomeCentral StockholmSuburbs
Room in a shared flatSEK 6,500–9,000SEK 5,000–7,000
1-room (studio)SEK 11,000–15,000SEK 8,500–11,000
2-room apartmentSEK 15,000–22,000SEK 11,000–15,000
3-room apartmentSEK 20,000–30,000SEK 14,000–20,000

First-hand rentals are cheaper but have long queues, so most newcomers start with a sublet. See how to rent without a queue and browse apartments in Stockholm.

Food and groceries

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  • Monthly groceries for one person: SEK 3,000–4,500
  • Lunch out (dagens lunch): SEK 120–160
  • Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant: SEK 700–1,100
  • Cappuccino: SEK 45–55
  • Budget chains like Lidl and Willys cut grocery bills significantly versus ICA or Coop.

    Transport

    A monthly SL travelcard (all public transport in the region) costs about SEK 1,020 in 2026. Stockholm's metro, bus and commuter trains are excellent, and most residents skip owning a car. Cycling is popular half the year.

    Utilities and internet

    • Electricity: SEK 400–900/mo (varies by season and usage; often included in rent for sublets)
    • Broadband: SEK 300–450/mo
    • Mobile plan: SEK 200–400/mo

    A realistic monthly budget for one person

    CategoryMonthly cost (SEK)
    Rent (1-room, semi-central)12,500
    Groceries3,800
    Transport (SL card)1,020
    Utilities + internet + mobile1,000
    Leisure, eating out, misc2,500
    Total≈ 20,800

    A single person can live comfortably on roughly SEK 21,000–25,000/month excluding savings. Sharing a flat brings this down substantially.

    Tips to lower your cost of living

    • Share a flat – the single biggest saving.
    • Start with a sublet to avoid years in the housing queue.
    • Use a rent calculator to make sure you are not overpaying – check a fair rent with our rent calculator.
    • Buy a second-hand SL card period and avoid single tickets.

    Summary

    Stockholm is expensive but liveable, with rent as the dominant cost. Plan for around SEK 21,000–25,000 a month as a single person, and find a home that fits your budget on Bofrid.

    This article is general information; prices are approximate for 2026.

    Esther Asmundsson

    Esther Asmundsson

    June 13, 2026
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