Raleigh VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Raleigh
United States
58.6
COLI Index
#48
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
58.6
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,450
$1,500
Total Deductions
23.6%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 9.1039 SEK
Is Raleigh cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Raleigh is 9% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6, while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3. 9% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Raleigh vs Stockholm

Overall, Raleigh is approximately 9% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6 (ranked #48 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Raleigh averages $1,450/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Raleigh approximately 3% cheaper for rent alone.

Raleigh has lower total deductions (23.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Raleigh. 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.

Raleigh

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (NC)
4.5%
Total: 23.6%Take-Home: $33,568/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 Raleigh, you would need approximately kr 749,209 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 9% more due to higher 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 Raleigh (USD) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) $105,480 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer $49,810 kr 497,575
Product Manager $58,600 kr 585,382
Lawyer $58,600 kr 585,382
Data Scientist $55,670 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager $42,192 kr 421,475
Teacher $28,128 kr 280,983
Nurse $33,988 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

Raleigh (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Chapel Hill1.25x (+25%)
Glenwood South1.22x (+22%)
Downtown Raleigh1.20x (+20%)
North Hills1.18x (+18%)
ITB (Inside the Beltline)1.18x (+18%)

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 Raleigh or Stockholm more expensive?

Stockholm is more expensive overall. Raleigh has a COLI of 58.6 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Raleigh approximately 9% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals $75,000 in Raleigh?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Raleigh, you would need approximately kr 749,209 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Raleigh or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Raleigh is $1,450/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Raleigh has lower rent by approximately 3%.

Which city has lower taxes, Raleigh or Stockholm?

Raleigh has lower total deductions (23.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Raleigh.

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.