Sweden vs Portugal
Portugal costs roughly 32% less than Sweden, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for Sweden expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Portugal is approximately 32% less expensive than Sweden based on cost of living including rent. This makes Portugal a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Portugal has a FIRE Score of 59/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 67.9, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Portugal is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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.
$975/mo
Not sure which Sweden visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →
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.
$1,185/mo
Not sure which Portugal visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Sweden | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 193.2 +25.4 | 167.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 68.3 | 72.2 +3.9 |
| Safety Index | 52 | 67.9 +15.9 |
| Cost of Living Index | 54.2 | 41.2 +13.0 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,090.2 | $775.7 +314.5 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $4,049.6 | $2,805.2 +1,244.4 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $935.14 +104.62 | $1,039.76 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $738.7 +85.27 | $823.97 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,591.9 +163.1 | $1,755 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1,230.56 +98.28 | $1,328.84 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 294.38 Mbps | 351.94 Mbps +57.6 |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Portugal. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Portugal. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Related Comparisons
Explore Portugal
Popular Comparisons
Cities
Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.