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Sweden ranks 29 in the Cost of Living Index 2022, below various popular study abroad destinations such as USA, Singapore, and Australia. Although the cost of living in Sweden is cheaper than in 79% of countries in Western Europe, it is almost 170% higher than in India. Apart from the pre-arrival costs and tuition fees, students also need to cover the travel and accommodation costs in Sweden which is a costly affair.
Since the majority of the universities in Sweden do not offer guaranteed accommodation to international students, and the housing shortage for students has increased again after a slight relief in the pandemic, finding accommodation and housing facilities in the country can be a difficult task. So, it is important for international students to be aware of the off-campus housing facilities and costs involved to prepare the budget beforehand. They should also be aware of the associated costs such as food and travel to avoid any sort of financial burden in the future.
The cost of living in Sweden varies on the location, size of residence, meals and other personal choices and expenses. The distance between off-campus housing and the university also determines the travel expenses to be incurred by the student. Not only this, one should also be aware of the various miscellaneous expenses such as utilities, health insurance, gym memberships, leisure activities such as cinemas, and shopping etc.
Off-Campus Housing Cost in Sweden
The estimated monthly off-campus accommodation cost is around 17,268 SEK (1.35 lakhs INR) for international students. Some of the related accommodation expenses are as follows:
| Expense Type | Cost (SEK) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent for 85 m2 (900 sq ft) furnished accommodation | 13,222 | 1.04 lakhs |
| Rent for 45 m2 (480 sq ft) furnished studio | 7,783 | 61,268 |
| Utilities | 843 | 6,636 |
| Laundry | 133 | 1,046 |
| Internet | 307 | 2,416 |
| Cleaning/Hygiene (hourly rate) | 164 | 1,291 |
| Shopping | 818 | 6,439 |
| Entertainment | 1,289 | 10,147 |
| Groceries | 3,212 | 25,284 |
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Cost of Meals in Sweden
International students can expect an estimated monthly expenditure of 3,000 SEK (23,608 INR) on meals and groceries. The detailed breakdown of the same is given in the table below:
| Expense Type | Cost (SEK) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 liter milk | 14 | 110 |
| 1 kg tomatoes | 35 | 275 |
| 1 kg apples | 27 | 212 |
| 1 kg potatoes | 13 | 102 |
| 1 dozen (12) eggs | 41 | 322 |
| 1 kg local cheese | 91 | 716 |
| Bread | 19 | 149 |
| Fast food combo meal | 91 | 716 |
| Basic lunchtime meal | 128 | 1,007 |
Transportation Cost in Sweden
The most commonly used modes of transportation in Sweden are bus, train, and metro. The 90-day SL student card is the cheapest and most effective way to use these transportation options. SL Access cards can be purchased for 20 SEK (157 INR) at the Arlanda Airport, SL Service Centers, or various common newsagents. Apart from this, students can also purchase the monthly bus pass. Some of the related transportation expenses are listed below:
| Expense Type | Cost (SEK) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single bus ticket | 35 | 275 |
| Monthly bus pass | 850 | 6,692 |
| Taxi Start | 55 | 433 |
| Taxi journey (1km) | 20 | 157 |
Medical Cost in Sweden
Medical expenses in Sweden include the general medical costs and health insurance, which is only taken by 10% of the population. Sweden has a public healthcare system, which is among the best healthcare systems in the world. Government taxes and contributions cover 97% of the system's operating expenses. Patients make up the final 3% by paying a small co-payment at doctor visits. Some of the medical costs in Sweden are listed below:
| Expense Type | Cost (SEK) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cold medicine (for a week) | 70 | 550 |
| 1 box of antibiotics | 100 | 786 |
| 15-minute visit to a private doctor | 200 | 1,572 |
| Health Insurance (yearly) | 4,000 | 31,454 |
Although the public national healthcare system in Sweden is funded by taxes and the national government, international students can opt for private health insurance if they want quick access to particular specialists and don't want to wait for elective treatments.
Personal Expenses in Sweden
Health, fitness, daily necessities, snacks, and personal hygiene products are all included in personal expenses in Sweden. The following is a list of the various miscellaneous expenses associated with living in Sweden:
| Expense Type | Cost (SEK) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 33 | 259 |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 25 | 196 |
| Toothpaste | 24 | 188 |
| Standard haircut | 281 | 2,211 |
| 1-month gym membership | 363 | 2,856 |
Cost of Living in Sweden by City
Since the cost of living in Sweden is highly dependent on the region, the following table represents the various costs involved in different cities of Sweden:
| City Name | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | 8,922-16,766 | 3,757 | 927 |
| Lund | 5,775-8,750 | 3,486 | 584 |
| Uppsala | 6,178-8,904 | 3,197 | 864 |
| Malmo | 6,374-9,634 | 3,201 | 551 |
| Gothenburg | 6,652-10,558 | 3,177 | 804 |
Sweden is home to more than 28,000 international students, which makes it much more necessary for students to be aware of the expected expenditure in the country.
The average monthly net salary of graduates after tax is 27,329 SEK (2.16 lakhs INR), which is barely more than the travel and accommodation costs in Sweden. Therefore it is advisable to have enough savings and financial backup before making any decisions. International students should also make use of the various scholarships offered by the universities in Sweden to cover up their tuition costs and other finances.
FAQs
Ques: Is Sweden expensive to live in?
Ans: Although the cost of living in Sweden is cheaper than various countries such as USA, Australia, And Singapore, it is almost 170% higher than in India. Living expenses are quite high in Sweden, especially in the capital city Stockholm, which is by far the most expensive city in the nation.
Ques: How much do you need to live comfortably in Sweden?
Ans: The estimated monthly travel and accommodation cost is around 17,268 SEK (1.35 lakhs INR) for international students
Ques: How much is the monthly rent in Sweden?
Ans: The monthly rent in Sweden is 7,783-13,222 SEK ( 61,268-1.04 lakhs INR)
Ques: Is it cheaper to live in UK or Sweden?
Ans: Although the rent Prices in UK are 34.56% higher than in Sweden, the consumer and groceries prices in UK are 7-12% lower than in Sweden. You should conduct proper research before making any decisions.
Ques: What is the basic salary in Sweden?
Ans: The average monthly net salary of graduates after tax is 27,329 SEK (2.15 lakhs INR)
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