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City Comparison

San Francisco is 3% cheaper

The Verdict

Living in San Francisco is 3% cheaper than Stockholm.
If you move from San Francisco to Stockholm, you will pay more for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a $75,000 salary in San Francisco, you would need to earn about $77,143 in Stockholm.

San Francisco Wins
4

of 6 categories

Tied
0

categories

Stockholm Wins
2

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
105
San Francisco
vs
108
Stockholm
San Francisco is 3 pts cheaper
Rent
110
San Francisco
vs
115
Stockholm
San Francisco is 5 pts cheaper
Groceries
102
San Francisco
vs
95
Stockholm
Stockholm is 7 pts cheaper
Restaurants
105
San Francisco
vs
102
Stockholm
Stockholm is 3 pts cheaper
Transport
95
San Francisco
vs
98
Stockholm
San Francisco is 3 pts cheaper
Utilities
98
San Francisco
vs
105
Stockholm
San Francisco is 7 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

San FranciscoUnited States
San Francisco is the heart of global tech with the highest salaries in the country.

Why people love San Francisco:

Tech capitalHighest tech salariesStartup cultureInnovation hub
Population
873,965
Avg. Salary
$7,000/mo
StockholmSweden
Stockholm offers Scandinavian design and innovation at high costs.

Why people love Stockholm:

Innovation hubBeautiful archipelagoDesign capitalHigh quality of life
Population
980,971
Avg. Salary
$2,850/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on NYC baseline prices

ExpenseSan FranciscoStockholmSavings
1-bed apartment (city center)$3,850$4,025+$175
Monthly groceries$459$428$-31
Dining out (10 meals)$368$357$-11
Public transport pass$124$127+$3
Utilities (electric, heating, water)$196$210+$14
Total Monthly$4,996$5,147+$151

* Estimates based on NYC = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose San Francisco if you...
  • Want lower overall living costs (3% cheaper)
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Want higher earning potential ($7,000/mo avg)
  • Work in tech or startups
Choose Stockholm if you...
  • Prioritize safety (score: 86/100)
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)

Quality of Life & Safety

Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

San Francisco
78

Quality of Life Score

Stockholm
84

Quality of Life Score

San Francisco
68

Safety Score

Stockholm
86

Safety Score

Salary Equivalence

How much you'd need in Stockholm to match a San Francisco salary

Salary in San FranciscoEquivalent in StockholmDifference
$50,000$51,429$1,429 more
$75,000$77,143$2,143 more
$100,000$102,857$2,857 more
$125,000$128,571$3,571 more
$150,000$154,286$4,286 more
$200,000$205,714$5,714 more

San Francisco vs Stockholm: Summary

The overall cost of living differs by 3%. San Francisco is the more affordable option.

Rent: San Francisco has a rent index of 110, while Stockholm has 115.

Average Salaries: San Francisco: $7,000/month vs Stockholm: $2,850/month (both in USD).

Out of 6 categories, San Francisco wins 4, while Stockholm wins 2.

Compare more cities or calculate your US take-home pay.