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Stockholm vs Abu Dhabi

Stockholm runs about 8% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

Vaulted cellar room under the ruins of the Black Friars’ Cloister SvartbrödraklostretPlace: Old Town, Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm
$2,735/month · Sweden
Jacob Truedson Demitz for Ristesson Ent · Public domain
View of the beach at the Beach Rotana hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
$2,960/month · United Arab Emirates
Jpbowen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stockholm monthly
$2,735
Index 43 (NYC = 100)
Abu Dhabi monthly
$2,960
Index 46 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+8%
Abu Dhabi relative to Stockholm
Rent gap
$100
Abu Dhabi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

StockholmAbu Dhabi
  • Housing
    Housing: Stockholm $1,600, Abu Dhabi $1,700. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Food
    Food: Stockholm $587, Abu Dhabi $597. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Transport
    Transport: Stockholm $155, Abu Dhabi $83. Cheaper in Abu Dhabi.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Stockholm $151, Abu Dhabi $255. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Stockholm $17, Abu Dhabi $42. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Stockholm $142, Abu Dhabi $191. Cheaper in Stockholm.
  • Other
    Other: Stockholm $84, Abu Dhabi $93. Cheaper in Stockholm.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricStockholmAbu Dhabi
Cost
Total monthly cost2,735 USD✓2,960 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)43✓46
Housing1,600 USD✓1,700 USD
Utilities151 USD✓255 USD
Food587 USD✓597 USD
Transport155 USD83 USD✓
Healthcare17 USD✓42 USD
Lifestyle142 USD✓191 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,115 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate38.6%0.0%✓
Left over each month2,380 USD5,373 USD✓
Average local net salary3,100 USD3,900 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD✓1,700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,000 USD✓3,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety84/10092/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓80/100
Air quality90/100✓52/100
Public transport92/100✓55/100
Walkability90/100✓45/100
English proficiency96/100✓86/100
Nightlife80/100✓66/100
Family friendliness94/100✓80/100
Median broadband230 Mbps290 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature8°C✓28°C
Summer high23°C✓42°C
Winter low-4°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,820 h3,400 h✓
Annual rainfall540 mm60 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencySEKAED
Time zoneEurope/StockholmAsia/Dubai

Stockholm runs about 8% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in StockholmCost of living in Abu DhabiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Stockholm vs LisbonStockholm vs MadridStockholm vs Copenhagen
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Stockholm or Abu Dhabi cheaper?

Stockholm runs about 8% cheaper than Abu Dhabi for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Abu Dhabi compared with Stockholm?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,115 a month in Stockholm and $8,333 in Abu Dhabi, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Stockholm or Abu Dhabi?

Stockholm scores 84/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Abu Dhabi scores 92 and 80. Stockholm averages 8°C against 28°C in Abu Dhabi.