📅 Please note this post was originally written in 2020, so we’ve updated it with current prices. Check out our most recent posts under the Cost of Living category for more up-to-date information.
The first question I asked my seniors and the one question I get asked the most from students who want to study at KTH is
“How expensive is Sweden?”
And the answer I usually give is: “It’s as expensive and inexpensive as you want it to be.”
So, I thought of writing about my monthly expenses so far, which will give you an idea about the cost of living here in Sweden. In the summary, Elise and I have both put in our monthly expenditures so that you can see how the expenses change with everyone.
💰Budget Breakdown
1. Accommodation
Most of the budget goes towards housing. The rates can vary depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. At Lappis, the current monthly rent for a corridor room through KTH Housing is 4500 SEK (5500 SEK in 2025). This includes water, electricity, and internet connection. Next month, I will be moving to another room in Lappis with SSSB accommodation, and the rent will decrease to 3800 sek (3 973-5 116 SEK/month in 2025).
2. Groceries and Food
The next expense contributor is groceries. There are many student-friendly supermarkets across the city, such as Lidl and Willys, where the prices remain the same throughout the year and there are frequent offers on selected essential goods. The average monthly grocery expense is around 800 SEK (between 1500 and 3000 SEK in 2025).
3. Transport
Stockholm has arguably the best connectivity across the city. Students with a Mecenat card get around 30% discount on the monthly and quarterly transportation card (SL card). The best part is the unlimited travel we get with the pass. A monthly student card costs 610 sek (650 SEK in 2025). Alternatively, you can buy a bicycle during the summer and save money on the card.
4. Mobile services
The standard network subscribers such as Lyca Mobile, Comviq or Hallon charge around 100 sek/month. I don’t use more than 3gb of data every month since I had wifi connection at home and on campus. It is up to you to decide your plan and preferences based on your needs.
5. Gym
Lappis has its own gym where they charge 800 sek for a year. There are gyms on KTH campus as well and across the city. Popular chains like SATS, Nordic Wellness, Fitness24Seven, and Friskis & Svettis all offer student discounts and flexible memberships. The rates differ based on the gym and plan you choose. An average gym membership in Stockholm is 390–564 SEK/month (2025 prices).
6. Leisure/ Miscellaneous
Occasional outing with friends, or drinking/eating out, or shopping and buying things for your house and other expenditures fall under this category. My average expenses in this section is around 600 sek monthly.
7. Insurance
KTH provides medical insurance for all international fee-paying students, which is included in the semester fee. Since it already covers any emergency medical expenses within Sweden, I haven’t invested in additional insurance policies. However, some students do invest in having home insurance, which would cost around 70 – 100 sek per month.
In summary
The expenses can vary between 5000 sek and 10,000 sek (7000 SEK to 12000 SEK in 2025 – the Migration Agency recommends having at least SEK 10,584 per month to sustain yourself), depending on the student’s lifestyle and preferences. There are many tips on saving money, which I will discuss in another blog. Like I said in the beginning, Sweden can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want it to be.
Do let us know in the comment section, tips on surviving on a limited budget as a student. Feel free to comment any queries and questions.
