Cost of living 2019 in Sweden

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Sweden? How about buying an apartment or a house in Sweden?
Buying is always a good investment than renting because prices have been going up constantly since early 90s. A buyer(single or couple) can take a mortgage of approximately 6 times of the annual income and also have to have an own payment of 15% of the price i.e maximum allowed mortgage is 85% of the price. Prices are different from location to location https://www.hemnet.se/
Regarding renting, it is very hard to find a firsthand contract in major cities, in some areas 10 years of waiting list for firsthand contract so secondhand market has gone overboard in those areas, for 70 sq 2 bedroom apartment approx 1700 Euro while firsthand contract in the same area approx 65% of that rate. In rural areas pretty easy to find firsthand contract e.g 70 sq 2 bedroom for approx 600 Euro.         

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
When the tax office send annual income declaration for incomes and taxes of an individual they make a deduction for transportation cost and that is a standard amount based on public transportation fees around the country, for 2019 that is 11000 SEK per year that means approx 916 SEK per month.   

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
Basmati rice best quality approx 39 SEK per kg and unknown quality from foreign store approx 20 SEK per kg. Good Levain bread approx 40 SEK and unknown quality pita bread from a foreign store 10 SEK, basic pasta approx 15 SEK per kg.   

How much does it cost to see a doctor or health specialist in Sweden?
Depends on which county or region but in general health care is almost free of charge so you pay a very little symbolic amount.                       

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
That is include in the income tax i.e health care is financed by all the tax payers in the country.

How much does childcare cost on average per month?
It depends on county or region e.g in Malmö 1 425 SEK for first child 950 SEK for the second child 475 SEK for the third child i.e you have 3 children so you pay 2850 SEK or you have one child you pay 1425.     

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
Everything what has to do with children education is totally free of charge in Sweden.

How much does it cost to fill up your cars fuel tank?
Prices are little bit various from Kiruna to Trelleborg and also manned station or unmanned station; unleaded 95 14.69 SEK, unleaded 98 15.59 SEK, diesel 15.54 SEK. 

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
It depends on the area and the company approx 70 Öre to 90 Öre per kWh (1 SEK is 100 Öre) A couple who live in a 70 sq apartment use approx 3800 kWh per year added so called electricity network fee, that means approx 350 SEK per month. Now it has been a totally different much higher cost if it is a house.   

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
It depends on the package and the company approx 350 SEK to 600 SEK

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
A "Today`s lunch" cost approx from 95 SEK and upward depends on personal choice.

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
A basic old passion espresso approx 38 SEK and upward 

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
It depends on how old you are and which film and where in Sweden you go to cinema approx 90 to 140 SEK.

How much does a gym membership cost in Sweden?
It depends on e.g a cheap place approx 250 per month for one year subscription.

Note that there are well benefited rates for students and pensioners in every category.