Living in Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg is one of the Sweden destinations covered by GoWira's fiscal and lifestyle database, refreshed quarterly. A one-bedroom apartment in the Gothenburg city center rents for around SEK 30,000/month, while the same layout in the suburbs averages SEK 21,000/month — a typical center-vs-suburbs gap for a city this size. Everyday expenses run about SEK 6,100 for groceries (single person) and SEK 1,200 for a monthly public transport pass. On our cost-of-living index (100 = highest benchmark city), Gothenburg scores 132, which makes it one of the more expensive cities in the region.
If you're planning a move, a realistic first-year budget in Gothenburg starts at roughly SEK 37,300/month for a single person in a central studio, before taxes, insurance or discretionary spending. Dining tends to cost SEK 480 for a mid-range meal and SEK 39 for a coffee at a local café, with a beer at a bar around SEK 76. Owning a car adds approximately SEK 8,300/month between fuel, parking and insurance — many residents in Gothenburg skip this in favour of public transport or the SEK 1,200/month pass mentioned above.
Healthcare, schools and essentials
Sweden offers a public healthcare system that residents access through social security contributions. Private health insurance for a single expat in Gothenburg costs around SEK 1,300/month, with a family plan at SEK 3,900. An out-of-pocket private GP visit runs about SEK 1,100, while specialists charge around SEK 2,000. Families should budget SEK 26,000/month for international schooling, or SEK 14,000/month for a local private school.
Who does Gothenburg suit best?
Gothenburg works especially well for senior professionals and families who can absorb top-tier European rent in exchange for infrastructure.
All figures are medians (p50), reviewed quarterly. Hit the calculator below for a number tailored to your salary and residency situation.