Malmo, Sweden



Cost of Living in Malmo

By Joshua Wood, LPC

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions
BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions

Summary: If you're moving to Malmo, understanding the the cost of living in Malmo helps you know what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more.

Cost of Living Malmo
Apartment Rentals Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is around 8,000 SEK (845 USD) per month, while rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is around 13,000 SEK (1,400 USD) per month. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center is around 6,000 SEK (645 USD) per month, while rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center is around 9,000 SEK (970 USD) per month.
Apartment Purchases The average price of an apartment in Malmo is around 4,000 SEK (430 USD) per square meter (11 square feet). The average price of a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is around 4.5 million SEK (480,000 USD). The average price of a three-bedroom apartment outside the city center is around 3.5 million SEK (380,000 USD).
Transportation Public transportation in Malmo is very affordable. A single ticket costs around 25 SEK (2.70 USD). A monthly pass costs around 500 SEK (54 USD). Taxi fares start at around 30 SEK (3.25 USD) and increase with distance.
Groceries Groceries in Malmo are relatively affordable. A liter of milk costs around 10 SEK (1.10 USD). A loaf of bread costs around 20 SEK (2.20 USD). A dozen eggs costs around 25 SEK (2.70 USD). A kilogram of local cheese costs around 80 SEK (8.60 USD).
Restaurants Eating out in Malmo is relatively affordable. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 100 SEK (11 USD). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around 500 SEK (54 USD). A cappuccino costs around 25 SEK (2.70 USD).
Utilities Utilities in Malmo are relatively affordable. Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment, including electricity, heating, water, garbage, and internet, cost around 1,500 SEK (160 USD) per month.
Private School Tuition Private school tuition in Malmo is relatively expensive. Preschool tuition costs around 10,000 SEK (1,100 USD) per year. Elementary school tuition costs around 15,000 SEK (1,600 USD) per year. Middle school tuition costs around 20,000 SEK (2,200 USD) per year. High school tuition costs around 25,000 SEK (2,700 USD) per year.

Can I live in Malmo on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Malmo for a while now, and I can tell you that it's possible to live on $1,500 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll need to find a place to live that's affordable. I'd recommend looking for a shared apartment or a small studio in neighborhoods like Rosengard, Kirseberg, or Lindangen. These areas are more affordable compared to more expensive neighborhoods like Västra Hamnen, Limhamn, or Slottsstaden.Next, you'll need to be mindful of your transportation costs. Malmo has a great public transportation system, and a monthly pass costs around $70. If you live close to your workplace, you could also consider biking, which is very popular in the city and can save you some money.When it comes to groceries, you'll need to shop smart. Stick to budget supermarkets like Willys, Lidl, or Netto, and try to cook at home as much as possible. Eating out can be quite expensive in Malmo, so save that for special occasions.For entertainment, there are plenty of free or low-cost activities in the city. You can visit parks, go for walks along the beach, or check out some of the free museums. If you want to go out for drinks, be prepared to spend a bit more, as alcohol can be pricey in Sweden.In summary, living on $1,500 a month in Malmo is doable, but you'll need to be mindful of your spending and make some sacrifices. Stick to affordable neighborhoods, use public transportation or bike, shop at budget supermarkets, and find low-cost or free entertainment options," commented an expat living in Malmo.

Can I live in Malmo on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Malmo for a few years now, and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, but you'll have to make some sacrifices. First, you'll need to find an affordable place to live. I'd recommend looking for apartments in neighborhoods like Rosengard, Kirseberg, or Lindangen. These areas are more affordable compared to more expensive neighborhoods like Västra Hamnen, Limhamn, or Slottsstaden. When it comes to transportation, Malmo has a great public transportation system, so you can save money by not owning a car. A monthly public transportation pass costs around $90, which is much cheaper than maintaining a car. For groceries, you'll want to shop at discount supermarkets like Willys or Lidl, where you can find good deals on food. Eating out can be expensive in Malmo, so try to cook at home as much as possible. If you do want to eat out, look for lunch specials or cheaper fast food options.Entertainment can also be pricey, but there are plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy in Malmo. For example, you can visit parks, go for walks or bike rides, or attend free events and festivals throughout the year. If you want to go to the movies or attend concerts, try to look for discounted tickets or special promotions.In terms of healthcare, if you're working in Sweden, you'll have access to the public healthcare system, which is quite affordable. However, if you're not working, you may need to purchase private health insurance, which can be expensive.Overall, living in Malmo on $3,000 a month is doable, but you'll need to be mindful of your spending and make some sacrifices. By living in a more affordable neighborhood, using public transportation, shopping smartly for groceries, and finding low-cost entertainment options, you can make it work," said one expat living in Malmo.

Can I live in Malmo on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Malmo for a few years now, and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $5,000 a month, even if you're used to modern amenities. However, you might have to make some sacrifices in terms of housing and entertainment expenses.First, let's talk about housing. Malmo has a variety of neighborhoods, some more expensive than others. If you want to save money, I'd recommend looking for an apartment in areas like Rosengard, Kirseberg, or Fosie. These neighborhoods are more affordable, but they still offer decent living conditions and access to public transportation. On the other hand, if you're willing to spend a bit more on rent, you could consider living in more upscale neighborhoods like Västra Hamnen, Limhamn, or Slottsstaden. These areas are more expensive, but they offer better amenities and are closer to the city center.As for other expenses, you'll find that groceries and transportation costs are quite reasonable in Malmo. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Willys or Lidl, and by using public transportation or biking instead of owning a car. Eating out can be expensive, so you might want to limit how often you go to restaurants or choose more affordable options like food trucks or fast food.When it comes to entertainment, you'll find that there are plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy in Malmo. You can visit parks, museums, and cultural events without spending a fortune. However, if you're used to going out to fancy bars or clubs, you might have to cut back on that, as alcohol can be quite expensive in Sweden.In summary, living comfortably on $5,000 a month in Malmo is definitely doable, but you'll have to be mindful of your expenses and make some sacrifices in terms of housing and entertainment. By choosing an affordable neighborhood and being smart about your spending, you can enjoy a good quality of life in this beautiful city," commented an expat living in Malmo.

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.


BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions
BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions
BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions

SJB Global
SJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

SJB GlobalSJB Global

SJB Global is a top-rated financial advisory firm specializing in expat financial advice worldwide, offering retirement planning & tax-efficient solutions with a regressive fee model.
Learn More

BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions
BlueCross BlueShield Global Solutions

Copyright 1997-2026 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal