Los Angeles VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Los Angeles
United States
76.3
COLI Index
#17
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
76.3
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,400
$1,500
Total Deductions
30.3%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 9.1039 SEK
Is Los Angeles cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Stockholm is 16% cheaper than Los Angeles based on our cost of living index. Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, while Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3. 16% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Los Angeles vs Stockholm

Overall, Stockholm is approximately 16% cheaper than Los Angeles based on our cost of living index. Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3 (ranked #17 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Los Angeles averages $2,400/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Stockholm approximately 38% cheaper for rent alone.

Los Angeles has lower total deductions (30.3%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Los Angeles. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Los Angeles

Income Tax
13%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total: 30.3%Take-Home: $39,883/yr

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Los Angeles, you would need approximately kr 575,408 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 16% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Los Angeles (USD) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) $137,340 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer $64,855 kr 497,575
Product Manager $76,300 kr 585,382
Lawyer $76,300 kr 585,382
Data Scientist $72,485 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager $54,936 kr 421,475
Teacher $36,624 kr 280,983
Nurse $44,254 kr 339,521

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Los Angeles (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Bel Air1.45x (+45%)
Malibu1.42x (+42%)
Beverly Hills1.40x (+40%)
Manhattan Beach1.30x (+30%)
Santa Monica1.25x (+25%)

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles or Stockholm more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. Los Angeles has a COLI of 76.3 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Stockholm approximately 16% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals $75,000 in Los Angeles?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Los Angeles, you would need approximately kr 575,408 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Los Angeles or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Los Angeles is $2,400/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Stockholm has lower rent by approximately 38%.

Which city has lower taxes, Los Angeles or Stockholm?

Los Angeles has lower total deductions (30.3%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Los Angeles.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.