Cost of living in SWEDEN ! Salary, Accommodation, Transportation, Food & Others.

Summary

In this video, the speaker offers a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Stockholm, Sweden, for a family of three. Covering major expenses like accommodation, transportation, groceries, food, and education, the speaker emphasizes the high living costs but also highlights the benefits of Sweden’s social security system, which covers healthcare and education. The speaker shares personal expenses, including rent, utilities, and daily life costs, providing a clear overview of what to expect when living in Sweden. The information is useful for anyone planning to move to Sweden or considering its lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sweden offers a high quality of life, but the cost of living can be high, especially in cities like Stockholm.
• 🏠 Accommodation in Stockholm is expensive, with city-center rents ranging from 12,000 to 16,000 SEK for small apartments. Moving away from the center can lower costs.
• 💸 Taxes in Sweden are significant, with 40,000 SEK gross salary translating to approximately 31,000 SEK after taxes, depending on location.
• 🔌 Utility costs such as electricity, internet, and home insurance can add up to around 14,000 SEK for accommodation, depending on the size and location of the house.
• 🍞 Groceries and food expenses for a family of three can be around 7,500 SEK monthly, including dining out and home cooking. Vegetarian diets may lower costs slightly.
• 🚋 Public transportation in Stockholm is excellent, with an SL monthly pass costing 1,020 SEK, providing access to metro, bus, and even ferries.
• 🚖 Taxis are available, but can be costly, with a 15-minute ride typically costing around 100 SEK in normal traffic.
• 👶 Education in Sweden is largely free, but preschool and daycare costs range from 1,000 to 1,200 SEK. International schools can cost 50,000 to 80,000 SEK per year.
• 📱 Miscellaneous monthly expenses such as mobile recharge, gym memberships, and shopping can add up to approximately 4,300 SEK for a family.
• 💰 On average, a family of three in Stockholm may spend around 30,000 SEK per month, excluding larger, one-time expenses such as electronics or vacations.
• 🏥 Sweden's high taxes cover medical expenses, social security, and education, so residents don't need to worry about additional healthcare costs.

Q & A

What is the average salary in Sweden, and how does taxation affect it?

The average salary in Sweden is around 40,000 SEK per month. However, taxes are significant, and the in-hand salary after tax deductions is approximately 31,000 SEK in Stockholm. Taxes depend on your salary bracket and the area in which you live.

How much does accommodation cost in Stockholm?

Accommodation costs in Stockholm can vary. For a two-room apartment near the city center, rent could range from 12,000 to 16,000 SEK. If you move further away from the city center, rent could decrease to around 10,000 SEK for a similar-sized apartment. Additionally, you will incur extra costs for utilities like electricity (500-600 SEK) and Wi-Fi (300-350 SEK).

What are the utility and insurance costs in Sweden?

Apart from rent, utilities such as electricity cost around 500-600 SEK per month, while Wi-Fi costs approximately 300-350 SEK. Housing insurance, which covers damages to the house and appliances, costs an additional 300 SEK per month.

How much do groceries cost in Sweden for a family of three?

For a family of three, groceries cost around 4,500-5,000 SEK per month, assuming a vegetarian diet with occasional chicken. This amount covers all essential grocery items, but it may vary depending on dietary preferences.

How expensive is dining out in Sweden?

Dining out can be expensive. For a family of three, a decent meal at a restaurant could cost 400-500 SEK, while dining at a more upscale restaurant could cost 800-1,000 SEK. Cheaper options like McDonald's or grocery store sandwiches cost around 50-70 SEK per person.

What is fika, and how much does it cost in Sweden?

Fika is a Swedish tradition involving coffee and light snacks, such as muffins or pastries. It is an important social activity. Monthly fika expenses for a family can range from 400-500 SEK, depending on how often you go to cafes or bakeries. A coffee could cost 26-27 SEK at a regular cafe or up to 70-80 SEK at a fancy place.

What are the transportation costs in Stockholm?

Public transportation in Stockholm is efficient and affordable. A monthly pass for public transport (covering metro, buses, trams, and ferries) costs around 1,020 SEK. Single tickets cost 42 SEK, valid for 75 minutes. If you prefer taxis, a 15-minute ride typically costs 100 SEK, but prices can vary depending on traffic conditions.

How much does education cost for children in Sweden?

Education in Sweden is mostly free, but there are minimal charges for daycare or preschools. In Stockholm, daycare or preschool fees range from 1,000 to 1,200 SEK per month. International schools are much more expensive, with fees ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 SEK per year.

What additional costs should be considered for a family living in Sweden?

In addition to the basic expenses, you should budget for miscellaneous costs like salon visits (400-800 SEK for a haircut), mobile phone bills (200 SEK), gym memberships (350-400 SEK), and shopping (around 2,000 SEK). These can vary depending on your lifestyle.

How much does a family of three spend on average per month in Sweden?

A family of three in Stockholm typically spends around 27,000 SEK per month on accommodation (14,000 SEK), food (7,500 SEK), transportation (1,000 SEK), and miscellaneous expenses (4,300 SEK). If the child attends an international school, you should add 3,000 to 5,000 SEK more to this total.