Cost of Living in the USA and Sweden: Austin, London, Stockholm

Mount Bonnell Advisors works with a steady stream of clients planning a move to the USA, and they keep asking us about the cost of living around the world.

So we put together a list of more than 50 everyday products and services and are publishing their prices in Sweden, the UK and the USA right here.

When you are thinking about a move, the everyday cost of living matters just as much as the big, important topics. "What does a loaf of bread cost at the bakery?", "What are egg prices like in the USA?", "How expensive is health insurance?" These are the questions that come up. You will find the answers in our cost-of-living table.

The table below reflects prices as of August 2026 and is updated every January.

Prices were collected in Stockholm, London and Austin, TX (find out more about moving to Austin, Texas). We used average prices throughout and deliberately left out especially cheap special offers. 

London and Austin as of August 31, 2026. All values in euros.

Cost of living compared: Stockholm, London and Austin 2026

Where the numbers come from

We collected prices directly from the providers, not from cost-of-living aggregators: groceries at Willys, Mathem, Systembolaget, Tesco and H-E-B; brands at Apple, Nike, Levi's (Levi-nordic) and Porsche; entertainment and services at Filmstaden, Google and Fitness24seven; fuel from Drivkraftsverige and Transportstyrelsen, the UK Department for Transport and AAA Texas; electricity from Vattenfall, Ofgem and Austin Energy; public transport from SL, Transport for London and CapMetro; housing from Qasa and Booli; tuition and school fees from published fee schedules (including SU). Converted at the ECB reference rates of 31 August 2026: 1 euro = 0.85648 pounds and 1 euro = 1.1596 US dollars. London and Austin values stand on 31 August 2026; the Stockholm column carries its own date, given under the table.

Where a service varies widely, such as a Michelin-starred dinner, a hair appointment or comprehensive car insurance, we show a representative current price rather than a statistical city average. Texas has no vehicle tax of the European kind; you only pay for registration.

Is England expensive?

The United Kingdom, and England in particular, is often seen as expensive. If you move from Sweden to England, housing prices and rents in London may well feel steep, and groceries can cost more than in Sweden too. American products in particular can be pricier in the UK because of import costs and exchange rates. Still, the cost of living depends heavily on the region you live in, and there are cheaper options outside the big cities.

US groceries are not the only thing that can be expensive in America. Living costs in the USA vary enormously by region. Big cities like New York or San Francisco are known for high rents and pricey groceries. 

If you are moving from Sweden to England or the USA, you need to factor in the change in living costs. Rents and property prices, healthcare costs and other expenses can differ and belong in your financial planning.

It also pays to know the traffic rules and fines of your new country. Drivers moving from Sweden to England have to get used to driving on the left. In the USA, traffic rules differ from state to state. Breaking them can mean fines, so it makes sense to get familiar with the local rules. After all, nobody wants a run-in with the police. 

If you are planning a trip to Sweden, England or the USA, the cost of living matters too. Accommodation, food and leisure activities can vary widely in price and should be part of your travel budget.

Keep in mind that living costs change over time and depend on many factors. It pays to use up-to-date information and resources to make accurate comparisons and well-informed decisions.

Austin, Texas: if you are in Texas, even just for a visit, and want to shop for American produce at a farmers market, we can recommend these sources:

• Farmers Markets in Dallas
• Farmers markets in Houston
• Farmers markets in San Antonio
• Farmers markets in Austin

Our moving guide shows you how to plan your spending realistically before the move, especially the section on moving and financial planning. If what you really want to know is where your money goes furthest, our page on the ten best small towns in the USA compares ten regions by property value, job market and growth; the big metro areas are covered in Where in America is the best place to live?. We also have a dedicated guide to health insurance in the USA.

In short

• The table compares more than 50 everyday products and services in Stockholm, London and Austin, as of 31 August 2026 (the Stockholm column has its own date, given under the table), all values in euros. It is updated every January.
• Austin is much cheaper for gas (0.75 euros per liter) and electricity (0.14 euros per kWh).
• A suburban single-family home costs 435,000 euros in Austin, 650,000 euros in Stockholm and 850,000 euros in London.
• Where Austin costs more is private health insurance: 6,000 euros a year for a healthy 40-year-old man.
• Prices were collected directly from the providers and converted at the ECB reference rates.

How we help you

• ConsultationOne hour with the firm: your case, your questions, a clear answer.
• Moving to the USAVisa, bank account, taxes and where to live: your move with Mount Bonnell Advisors.
• US Bank Account OpeningYour own access to the American financial system, even without an SSN.
• Visa RoadmapIn writing: which visa fits you and your family, prepared with the immigration attorney on the firm's team.