Cost Of Living For a Student in Goteborg 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: SEK
Average monthly spending for students in Goteborg
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Goteborg?
Students in Goteborg spend around 21,000 SEK per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 3,200 SEK or as high as 140,000 SEK. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Goteborg
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 300 SEK | 450 SEK | 1,800 SEK |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 110,000 SEK | 230,000 SEK | 300,000 SEK |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 130 SEK | 840 SEK | 5,600 SEK |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
| 250 SEK | 350 SEK | 1,100 SEK |
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 230 SEK | 290 SEK | 1,500 SEK |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 3,800 SEK | 5,700 SEK | 15,000 SEK |
1-bedroom apartment
| 5,700 SEK | 9,100 SEK | 23,000 SEK |
2-bedroom apartment
| 7,600 SEK | 11,000 SEK | 30,000 SEK |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 760,000 SEK | 1.1M SEK | 2.3M SEK |
| $73,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 910,000 SEK | 1.5M SEK | 5.7M SEK |
| $88,000 | $150,000 | $550,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1.5M SEK | 4.6M SEK | 9.1M SEK |
| $150,000 | $440,000 | $880,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 4,500 SEK | 5,700 SEK | 7,500 SEK |
Double Bed
| 3,000 SEK | 4,500 SEK | 5,700 SEK |
Single Bed
| 2,700 SEK | 3,500 SEK | 4,500 SEK |
Living Room
| 5,000 SEK | 6,500 SEK | 23,000 SEK |
Dining Table
| 2,300 SEK | 3,000 SEK | 5,700 SEK |
Sofa or Couch
| 3,000 SEK | 4,100 SEK | 9,000 SEK |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 3,000 SEK | 4,500 SEK | 9,000 SEK |
Fridge or Freezer
| 2,700 SEK | 4,100 SEK | 5,700 SEK |
Washing Machine
| 3,500 SEK | 5,000 SEK | 9,000 SEK |
Stove or Cooker
| 3,200 SEK | 4,100 SEK | 5,700 SEK |
Mobile Phone
| 3,800 SEK | 4,500 SEK | 6,500 SEK |
Laptop or Computer
| 4,100 SEK | 5,000 SEK | 9,000 SEK |
How do students spend their money in Goteborg?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $75 780 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $480 5,000 SEK |
| HIGH | $3,200 34,000 SEK |
| Per Month |
Students in Goteborg typically spend from 16% to 27% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 5,000 SEK with expenditure ranging from 780 SEK to 34,000 SEK. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $12 130 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $81 840 SEK |
| HIGH | $540 5,600 SEK |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Goteborg ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 840 SEK with 130 SEK and 5,600 SEK being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $22 230 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $140 1,500 SEK |
| HIGH | $940 9,800 SEK |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 230 SEK to 9,800 SEK in a month on commuting with 1,500 SEK being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $62 650 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $400 4,200 SEK |
| HIGH | $2,700 28,000 SEK |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Goteborg is 4,200 SEK. The cost of groceries can range between 650 SEK to 28,000 SEK. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $19 190 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $120 1,300 SEK |
| HIGH | $810 8,400 SEK |
| Per Month |
Students in Goteborg allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 190 SEK to 8,400 SEK with 1,300 SEK being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $16 160 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $100 1,000 SEK |
| HIGH | $670 7,000 SEK |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 160 SEK to 7,000 SEK with 1,000 SEK being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $59 620 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $380 4,000 SEK |
| HIGH | $2,600 27,000 SEK |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 4,000 SEK per month with 620 SEK being the minimum spent amount and 27,000 SEK being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $47 490 SEK |
| AVERAGE | $300 3,100 SEK |
| HIGH | $2,000 21,000 SEK |
| Per Month |
Affordable living in Goteborg
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Goteborg?
Around 77% of surveyed students think that living in Goteborg is affordable with proper budgeting while 23% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Low-cost alternatives in Goteborg
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options61%
Few low-cost options39%
Based on the survey, 61% of the students living in Goteborg have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes73%
No27%
Based on the survey, 27% of the students living in Goteborg said that they don't have an emergency fund while 73% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy71%
We asked student guardians and parents in Goteborg whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 29% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 71% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 31% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 69% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance31%
Easily manages finances69%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Goteborg
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Goteborg
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,800 SEK | 5,700 SEK | 15,000 SEK |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 5,700 SEK | 9,100 SEK | 23,000 SEK |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 7,600 SEK | 11,000 SEK | 30,000 SEK |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 9,100 SEK | 15,000 SEK | 42,000 SEK |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 18,000 SEK | 46,000 SEK | 91,000 SEK |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 15,000 SEK | 23,000 SEK | 65,000 SEK |
House monthly rent cost
| 18,000 SEK | 46,000 SEK | 91,000 SEK |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 23,000 SEK | 57,000 SEK | 91,000 SEK |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Goteborg ranges between 3,800 SEK and 15,000 SEK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 5,700 SEK to 23,000 SEK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 7,600 SEK and 30,000 SEK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 9,100 SEK to 42,000 SEK. The average rent of a townhouse in Goteborg is around 23,000 SEK while house rental costs can be as high as 46,000 SEK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 23,000 SEK to 91,000 SEK per month.
Apartment and house prices in Goteborg
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 760,000 SEK | 1.1M SEK | 2.3M SEK |
| $73,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 910,000 SEK | 1.5M SEK | 5.7M SEK |
| $88,000 | $150,000 | $550,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 1.5M SEK | 4.6M SEK | 9.1M SEK |
| $150,000 | $440,000 | $880,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 5.1M SEK | 7.6M SEK | 23M SEK |
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Goteborg can range from 760,000 SEK to 2.3M SEK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 910,000 SEK to 5.7M SEK. A villa can cost you 51M SEK on average with prices ranging from 9.1M SEK to 76M SEK.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Goteborg will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 48 | x142 monthly income | 227 |
Property prices in Goteborg can be x142 to x227 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x142 multiples of the average monthly salary in Goteborg.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Goteborg is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
32% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Goteborg
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Goteborg
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Goteborg is approximatly 90 SEK with meal cost ranging from 45 SEK to 150 SEK. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 150 SEK and 450 SEK with 230 SEK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Goteborg.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 300 SEK | 450 SEK | 1,800 SEK |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 300 SEK to 1,800 SEK with the average cost being 450 SEK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Goteborg.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Goteborg is around 60 SEK. Price ranges between 38 SEK and 90 SEK depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Goteborg is 36 SEK. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 45 SEK and the minimum being 30 SEK depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 30 SEK on average with 23 SEK and 45 SEK being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Goteborg is between 51 SEK and 94 SEK depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 67 SEK.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 90 SEK. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Goteborg costs around 33 SEK on average with prices rangeing between 24 SEK and 47 SEK depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 9 SEK to 23 SEK. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 21 SEK on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 650 SEK to 28,000 SEK with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Goteborg
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Goteborg
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 130 SEK | 840 SEK | 5,600 SEK |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 840 SEK. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 230 SEK to 600 SEK with 450 SEK being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 300 SEK but can range between 180 SEK and 900 SEK depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Goteborg is around 4.1%. This means that people pay 4.1% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1% to 8.1% depending on salary and location.
