Sweden's friendly west-coast city: seafood, islands, Volvo-anchored engineering jobs and a warmer social climate than the capital, by Swedish standards.
What it costs to live in Gothenburg
A one-bed runs around EUR 880 a month, roughly 20% below the national baseline for Sweden, which is a large part of why people look here instead of the capital. Across the 60 EU cities we profile, that lands Gothenburg in the middle of the range.
Against a typical net salary in Sweden of about EUR 2,700, rent takes roughly 33% of take-home pay, which leaves more room than most of Western Europe.
What the economy runs on
Volvo, automotive tech, port.
The combination that makes Gothenburg work for a lot of people is a country that is comfortable with remote and freelance workers paired with rent that does not dominate the budget.
How far English gets you
English is effectively a working language in Gothenburg: work, healthcare, banking and a social life are all available in English alone.
Gothenburg rates 88/100 for English, a little below the 92/100 we give Sweden overall, so do not assume the capital's habits apply here. There is a fuller breakdown on the English in Sweden page.
What day-to-day life leans on
If you are moving with children, Sweden scores 82/100 for schooling, and international schools cluster in cities like Gothenburg.
Worth weighing
Rainy Atlantic weather.
Gothenburg is the cheapest of the cities we cover in Sweden. For comparison: Stockholm (about EUR 1,100 a month).
City picked, country still open? See the full Sweden overview including cost of living, safety, healthcare and the path to residence, or compare Sweden with other EU countries.