Sweden vs Norway — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Sweden has a cost of living index of 81.0 with average 1BR rent around $980/mo, while Norway sits at 89.0 with rent near $1,450/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Sweden | Norway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 4.60% | 5.60% | Sweden |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 3.80% | 4.50% | Norway |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 13.5% | 18.5% | Sweden |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$980/mo | US$1,450/mo | Sweden |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$6,100/m² | US$7,200/m² | Sweden |
Summary
Sweden has a lower mortgage rate than Norway at 4.60% vs 5.60%. Rental costs in Sweden average $980/month compared to $1,450 in Norway, while the cost of living index sits at 81.0 versus 89.0. Overall, Sweden looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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