How much does it cost to live in Stockholm?
Rent, housing queue and everyday costs from official sources.
Short answer
A three-room apartment in Greater Stockholm costs SEK 10,600 a month on average in 2026, against SEK 9,528 nationally, according to SCB. Konsumentverket's national figures add about SEK 8,400 a month for one adult before housing. Bostadsförmedlingen reports an average queue of 9 years for ordinary rental flats in 2025.
Why
- According to SCB, the average monthly rent for a three-room apartment in 2026 is SEK 10,600 in Greater Stockholm and SEK 9,528 nationally.
- According to SCB, the average monthly rent in 2026 is SEK 148 per square metre in Greater Stockholm and SEK 129 for the whole country.
- According to Bostadsförmedlingen, the average queue for all ordinary rental flats in and outside Stockholm county was 9 years in 2025.
Details
The SEK 8,400 is the sum of three Konsumentverket figures for a person aged 25 to 50 (food 2,730, other individual costs 2,140, shared costs 3,530), and they are national, not specific to Stockholm. Konsumentverket leaves out housing, travel, dental care and medicine. According to sl.se, an adult SL 30-day ticket costs SEK 530 at a temporary reduced price, with purchase and activation possible until 2 December 2026, after which the ordinary price applies. Rental flats are listed in apartments and residential complexes in Stockholm.
Tip
Look at the queue statistics on Bostadsförmedlingen's website before you plan a move, since the average wait for ordinary rental flats was 9 years in 2025. If you plan to stay, see how long you can stay in Sweden without a visa.
What may differ
Queue times depend on the type of home: Bostadsförmedlingen reports about 4.5 years for student housing, about 12.5 years for rental flats with short-term contracts and about 10 years for senior housing.
Common misconception
You can simply rent a flat in Stockholm when you arrive.
What actually happens
According to Bostadsförmedlingen, the average queue for ordinary rental flats in 2025 was 9 years, and about 4.5 years for student housing.
People also ask
- What is the cost of living in Stockholm?
- Is it expensive to live in Stockholm?
Sources
- Statistics Sweden (SCB): Rents in dwellings 2026Checked at:
- Statistics Sweden (SCB): Rent by regionChecked at:
- Stockholm Housing Agency (Bostadsförmedlingen): How long does it take?Checked at:
- Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket): Household costs 2026Checked at:
- SL: temporary price reductionChecked at:
Prices and fees change, so check SCB and Bostadsförmedlingen before you plan your budget.
StockholmRelated questions
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How much money do you need per day in Sweden?
A day in Sweden adds up from separate prices: an SL single ticket costs SEK 43, a 24-hour ticket SEK 180 and Vasa Museum entry SEK 195 to 240.
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How much does a pack of cigarettes cost in Sweden?
The retail price of cigarettes in Sweden is set by the manufacturer and printed on the pack, and cigarettes may not be sold above that price, according to Skatteverket.
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How much does a public toilet cost in Sweden?
Public toilets in Sweden are not always free: Stockholm's new city toilets cost SEK 10 and are paid by card, and Gothenburg's toilet buildings cost SEK 5.
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How much does a cinema ticket cost in Stockholm?
Filmstaden advertises films from SEK 99 in Stockholm, and its pages checked on 27 October 2026 show no standard ticket price.