---
title: "Cost of living in Stockholm 2026: a complete guide"
author: "Esther Asmundsson"
authorUrl: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/authors/EstherAsmundsson"
datePublished: "2026-06-13T08:00:00.000Z"
dateModified: "2026-06-13T17:45:04Z"
description: "What does it cost to live in Stockholm in 2026? Rent, food, transport and a monthly budget – a complete guide to the cost of living in Stockholm."
categories: ["Guider", "Hyresgäst"]
canonical: "https://bofrid.se/en/articles/cost-of-living-in-stockholm-2026"
language: "en"
image: "https://cdn.sanity.io/images/lgx6wuf4/production/217eb03d7b407487ba268ec658ede627f6539be9-1408x768.webp?rect=0,15,1408,739&w=1200&h=630&fit=crop"
---

# Cost of living in Stockholm 2026: a complete guide

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:

| Home | Central Stockholm | Suburbs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Room in a shared flat | SEK 6,500–9,000 | SEK 5,000–7,000 |
| 1-room (studio) | SEK 11,000–15,000 | SEK 8,500–11,000 |
| 2-room apartment | SEK 15,000–22,000 | SEK 11,000–15,000 |
| 3-room apartment | SEK 20,000–30,000 | SEK 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](https://bofrid.se/en/articles/rent-an-apartment-without-a-queue-2026) and browse [apartments in Stockholm](https://bofrid.se/hyra-bostad/stockholms-lan/stockholm).

## Food and groceries

- 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

| Category | Monthly cost (SEK) |
| --- | --- |
| Rent (1-room, semi-central) | 12,500 |
| Groceries | 3,800 |
| Transport (SL card) | 1,020 |
| Utilities + internet + mobile | 1,000 |
| Leisure, eating out, misc | 2,500 |
| **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](https://bofrid.se/rakna-ut-hyra).
- **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](https://bofrid.se/en).

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