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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Stockholm vs Västerås in 2026: cost index 132 vs 95, rent 12 500 kr vs 7 500 kr, income 420 000 kr vs 345 000 kr, QoL 67 vs 69.
Stockholm vs Västerås in 2026: cost index 132 vs 95, rent 12 500 kr vs 7 500 kr, income 420 000 kr vs 345 000 kr, QoL 67 vs 69.
Stockholm ranks #1 with a cost index of 132 and rent of 12 500 kr/month.
Average cost index across these cities: 114 (+17 vs national average of 97).
Average quality of life: 68/100. Top: Stockholm at 67/100.
Safest city: Stockholm (72/100 safety score).
Here's where the conversation shifts from 'affordable' to 'strategic': Stockholm stands out as the top-ranked city in this analysis. With a cost index of 132 and median income of 420 000 kr, it offers competitive value despite costs slightly above the national median. This combination is rare — and valuable.
On quality of life, Västerås leads with a composite score of 69/100 — reflecting its safety (68), healthcare (74), and walkability (72) metrics. Context matters here. affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Sweden is a good example of that tension.
The country average QoL score is 70/100. Stockholm leads with 67/100, reflecting its safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include SCB, Lantmäteriet, Skatteverket.
Stockholm (ranked #1) has a cost index of 132 and rent of 12 500 kr/mo. Västerås (#2) has index 95 and rent 7 500 kr/mo — a 37-point gap.