Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Stockholm is 7% cheaper than Seoul based on our cost of living index. Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, while Seoul has a COLI of 68.9. 7% cheaper
Overall, Stockholm is approximately 7% cheaper than Seoul based on our cost of living index. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 (ranked #24 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Seoul averages $1,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Seoul approximately 20% cheaper for rent alone.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seoul. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn ₩95,218,373 in Seoul, you would need approximately kr 637,208 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 7% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Seoul (KRW) | Stockholm (SEK) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | ₩157,453,102 | kr 1,053,687 |
| Software Engineer | ₩74,352,854 | kr 497,575 |
| Product Manager | ₩87,473,946 | kr 585,382 |
| Lawyer | ₩87,473,946 | kr 585,382 |
| Data Scientist | ₩83,100,248 | kr 556,113 |
| Marketing Manager | ₩62,981,241 | kr 421,475 |
| Teacher | ₩41,987,494 | kr 280,983 |
| Nurse | ₩50,734,889 | 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.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Gangnam | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Seocho | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Myeongdong | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Bukchon | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Itaewon | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Östermalm | 1.32x (+32%) |
| Norrmalm | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Gamla Stan | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Djurgården | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Södermalm | 1.15x (+15%) |
Sponsored
Save up to 6x on international transfers. Send money at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.
Compare Transfer Fees →Use our converter with 3,400+ neighborhood adjustments for a precise salary comparison
Open Salary ConverterSeoul is more expensive overall. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Stockholm approximately 7% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as ₩95,218,373 in Seoul, you would need approximately kr 637,208 in Stockholm.
Average one-bedroom rent in Seoul is $1,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Seoul has lower rent by approximately 20%.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seoul.
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.