Copenhagen is more expensive than Stockholm. That is the short answer. According to Numbeo cost data, the cost of living in Copenhagen is around 13% higher than in Stockholm when excluding rent, and 17-18% higher when rent is included. But salaries in Copenhagen are also significantly higher, which changes the picture considerably. Source: Statistics Denmark.
| Category | Copenhagen | Stockholm | USD equiv. (CPH) | USD equiv. (STK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom city centre (monthly) | ~13,100 DKK | ~14,800 SEK | ~$1,734 | ~$1,476 |
| 1-bedroom outside centre (monthly) | ~8,700 DKK | ~9,900 SEK | ~$1,183 | ~$991 |
| Lunch at restaurant | ~180 DKK | ~160 SEK | ~$23.60 | ~$15.10 |
| Monthly transport pass | ~775 DKK | ~1,060 SEK | ~$116 | ~$111 |
| Private preschool (monthly) | ~3,990 DKK | ~1,528 SEK | ~$614 | ~$162 |
| Average net salary after tax | ~29,700 DKK | ~34,100 SEK | ~$4,591 | ~$3,571 |
Housing and daily expenses
A one-bedroom apartment in central Copenhagen costs roughly DKK 13,100 per month, compared to approximately SEK 14,800 for a comparable apartment in central Stockholm. In dollar terms that translates to about $1,734 in Copenhagen versus $1,476 in Stockholm – a 17% gap. Rent prices outside the city centres are similarly spread: Copenhagen runs about 23% more expensive than Stockholm for suburban flats.
Buying is a different story. City-centre apartments in Stockholm are actually more expensive per square metre to purchase – roughly $11,690 per square foot equivalent – compared to about $9,559 in Copenhagen. So if you are buying, Stockholm's ownership costs are steeper.
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Groceries in Copenhagen run about 8-9% more than in Stockholm. A lunch at an inexpensive restaurant in Copenhagen costs roughly $23.60 compared to $15.10 in Stockholm – a 56% gap that catches many expats off guard. Restaurant prices overall are about 34% higher in Copenhagen.
One area where Stockholm is more expensive: utilities. Basic utilities for an 85-square-metre apartment run about DKK 1,143 in Copenhagen versus SEK 2,213 in Stockholm. Stockholm's utility bills are roughly 31% higher in local currency terms.
Childcare and salaries
This is where the numbers diverge dramatically. Private preschool for one child runs about DKK 3,990 per month in Copenhagen ($614) versus SEK 1,528 per month in Stockholm ($162). That is a nearly 280% difference. Sweden's heavily subsidised maxtaxa (childcare fee cap) system caps childcare fees regardless of income, which makes Stockholm considerably more family-friendly on this line item.
The mitigating factor is pay. Copenhagen's average monthly net salary after tax is approximately DKK 29,700 ($4,591), versus roughly SEK 34,100 ($3,571) in Stockholm – a 28% advantage for Copenhagen workers in dollar terms. WTW salary survey data from 2025 confirms this pattern across professional roles: Danish career professionals in IT development earn median salaries around 95,000 EUR annually, compared to roughly 60,000 EUR in Sweden.
The practical result: a Copenhagen resident earning a local salary has higher purchasing power relative to their costs than a Stockholm resident on a local salary. The purchasing power index calculation shows Copenhagen (133.6) is slightly above Stockholm (130.3). So while everything costs more in Copenhagen, the higher wages more than keep pace – at least at the professional level.
Car ownership is where Stockholm wins decisively. A new Volkswagen Golf costs around SEK 319,500 in Stockholm versus DKK 325,000 (approximately SEK 480,000 equivalent) in Copenhagen – a 50% premium in Denmark, largely driven by the Danish registration tax system.
The bottom line for anyone choosing between the two cities: Copenhagen pays more and charges more, but the net financial position for a skilled worker is roughly comparable. If you have young children or plan to own a car, Stockholm has a meaningful cost advantage despite the lower headline salaries.
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