EUROCOSTSCOUNTRY COMPARISON · UPDATED 2026-07-15
Sweden vs United Kingdom: taxes, salary and cost of living
A move between Sweden and United Kingdom is not simply a choice between a cheap and an expensive country; income, rent and taxation pull the result in different directions.
Sweden vs United Kingdom at a glance
| Indicator | Sweden | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VAT | 25% | 20% |
| Income tax | 29-55% | 20-45% |
| Social contributions | 38.42% | 23% |
| Tax burden | 42.6% | 30.9% |
| Average monthly salary | €3,750 | €3,820 |
| Studio rent | €900 | €1,050 |
| Monthly food estimate | €360 | €350 |
| Gasoline | 1.55 €/L | 1.61 €/L |
| Electricity | 0.22 €/kWh | 0.31 €/kWh |
Salary advantage and purchasing power
United Kingdom records the higher listed monthly salary. The gap is €70, approximately 1.8% relative to the lower figure. Within the numeric EuroCosts sample, Sweden ranks 11 of 27 for salary and United Kingdom ranks 10 of 27. Currency conversion and salary methodology can materially change a relocation budget.
Housing pressure and everyday spending
Sweden has the lower listed studio rent by €150, a 14.3% difference relative to the higher rent. Sweden sits 27 of 37 and United Kingdom 30 of 37 in the available low-to-high rent ranking. United Kingdom also has the lower food estimate, so the housing result is partly offset by groceries.
After subtracting only the listed rent and food estimates, the simplified remainder is €2,490 in Sweden and €2,420 in United Kingdom. This leaves €70 more in Sweden, before utilities, transport, healthcare, childcare or personal taxes not already reflected in salary.
VAT and personal tax context
United Kingdom has the lower listed tax burden by 11.7 percentage points. Standard VAT is 25% in Sweden versus 20% in United Kingdom. Neither measure is a substitute for an individual payroll simulation.
Driving and mobility costs
Sweden has the lower listed gasoline price by €0.06 per litre. For a driver buying 50 litres a month, that headline difference is about €3 monthly, before insurance, parking and road charges.
Choosing by relocation scenario
For a remote worker paid from abroad, housing and daily costs may matter more than the local salary ranking; on that narrow view, Sweden deserves closer attention. A locally employed professional should instead begin with salary and payroll definitions.
Where the comparison lands
Sweden produces the stronger simplified monthly remainder in this dataset, while Sweden leads on listed rent. Your income source determines which advantage matters more.
Sources and data references
- PwC standard VAT rates
- PwC personal income tax rates
- PwC corporate income tax rates
- EuroCosts data scope and generation process
Explore Sweden comparisons · Explore United Kingdom comparisons