🇩🇰 Copenhagen vs 🇸🇪 Stockholm

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇩🇰

Copenhagen

Denmark

$2,831–$4,482/mo

kr20,221 – kr32,014 / month (local)

🇸🇪

Stockholm

Sweden

$2,400–$3,800/mo

kr25,263 – kr40,000 / month (local)

Copenhagen is 18% more expensive

Stockholm wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryCopenhagen (USD)Stockholm (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$2,123–$3,303$1,800–$2,800🟢 Stockholm
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$1,121–$1,769$950–$1,500🟢 Stockholm
Utilities$88–$171$75–$145🟢 Stockholm
Groceries$448–$672$380–$570🟢 Stockholm
Eating out (mid-range meal)$59–$106$50–$90🟢 Stockholm
Public transport (monthly)$112–$136$95–$115🟢 Stockholm
Internet & Mobile$35–$59$30–$50🟢 Stockholm
Gym membership$41–$77$35–$65🟢 Stockholm
Cinema ticket$17–$21$14–$18🟢 Stockholm
Monthly total (single)$2,831–$4,482$2,400–$3,800🟢 Stockholm

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing3.4 / 10 · 4.1 / 10
Copenhagen
Stockholm▲ better
Safety8.3 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Healthcare8.3 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Education7.9 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Environment8.7 / 10 · 8.5 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Economy7.0 / 10 · 6.8 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Culture7.6 / 10 · 7.4 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm
Internet8.0 / 10 · 7.8 / 10
Copenhagen▲ better
Stockholm

Who should choose which city?

Choose Copenhagen if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Copenhagen offers vs Stockholm
  • Bikes
  • Design
  • Happiness metrics
  • Life sciences

Choose Stockholm if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Copenhagen
  • Innovation
  • Nature
  • English proficiency
  • Tech

You might also like…

📊

Full Copenhagen guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Copenhagen

📊

Full Stockholm guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Stockholm