Stockholm vs Oeiras: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Oeiras costs roughly 2.6x less than Stockholm. Stockholm scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Oeiras is approximately 15% less expensive than Stockholm based on cost of living including rent. This makes Oeiras a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Oeiras has a FIRE Score of 86/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 58, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Oeiras is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Stockholm
Stockholm is the rare capital that pairs a 90/100 safety index and 12/100 crime index with a cost of living index of just 75 against NYC, so you get Scandinavian order without Manhattan prices. Rent still bites: $1,675/mo for a one-bedroom downtown versus $1,081/mo outside the center, and a comfortable single life runs $2,834/mo against an average net salary of $3,566/mo. The digital nomad score of 81/100 and widely spoken English make it easy to land, though the continental climate and $106/mo transit pass mean you will pay for the privilege of four real seasons. Pick Södermalm or Vasastan if you want the expat crowd, and accept that a $100 mid-range dinner for two is simply the entry fee.
About Sweden
Skip Sweden for retirement or digital nomad visas, which aren't offered: neither exists, and the top tax rate reaches 52.1%. This fits high earners chasing a clear citizenship path and top-tier healthcare (68.3 index, 82.7-year life expectancy) over near-term savings or easy entry.
$992/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Oeiras
Oeiras is a solid pick for expats who want Lisbon's airport 6 km away without Lisbon's crowds, and an overall expat score of 86/100 backs that up. The catch is the money: city centre one-bedroom rent runs $1,458/mo against an average monthly net salary of $1,477/mo, so you need remote income or savings, not a local job. English proficiency is limited and the expat community size is none, which means learning Portuguese is not optional here. Come for the Mediterranean climate and the D7 Passive Income Visa at $1,031/mo minimum, not for a ready-made social scene.
About Portugal
A one-bedroom in central Lisbon runs about $1,040/month, roughly a third of comparable Boston or DC rents. Combined with $776 in monthly living costs, a couple can live well under $2,500/month total, and the D7 visa only requires $1,031 income to qualify. The catch: Portuguese progressive tax hits 48% (top bracket), so this works best for retirees on fixed foreign income, not high earners staying tax resident.
$1,270/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Stockholm | Oeiras |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1674.52 | $1457.85 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1080.5 | $1158.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2971.15 | $2523.21 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1755.5 | $2046.6 |
| Safety Index | 90 | 58 |
| Internet Speed | 85Mbps | 55Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Stockholm | Oeiras |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,112/mo | $1,787/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,031/mo | $628/mo |
| Rent | $1,081/mo | $1,159/mo |
| Groceries | $289/mo | $155/mo |
| Dining out | $180/mo | $157/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $146/mo | $105/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $310/mo | $166/mo |
| Transport | $106/mo | $45.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Stockholm vs Oeiras -- Frequently Asked Questions
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