Cost of living in Stockholm and student budget

Before you plan your budget

• Housing is often the highest cost, and rent varies by location, housing type and whether you share or live on your own.

• The student examples cover housing, food, transport, insurance, and sports and hobbies. Your own budget may also need to cover other regular or one-off costs, particularly in the first few months while settling in.

• A personal spending budget is not the same as the financial maintenance requirement for a Swedish residence permit.

If you need a residence permit for studies, check the current financial requirements and application rules directly with the Swedish Migration Agency . 

Three students' monthly budget

These are personal examples reported by three international KTH students in 2026. They show different choices and circumstances and are not representative of every student.

*Discounted student monthly ticket via Stockholm's public transport, SL .

**The students reported no separate monthly insurance payment in their budgets. Insurance coverage depends on your student category and circumstances. Read KTH's information about student insurance  and check what additional coverage you may need.

The examples do not include every possible expense. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for items such as electricity, internet, a mobile phone subscription, course materials, healthcare, household items, clothing, travel, housing deposits and unexpected costs. Check what is included in your rent and other agreements, and always keep a buffer for emergencies.

Ways to reduce your living costs

Accommodation

Sharing an apartment or renting a corridor room can reduce your housing costs. Student housing may also cost less than some private alternatives.

Join relevant housing queues early. If you are not offered housing through KTH Accommodation, you may need temporary accommodation while you build up queue points. See KTH's accommodation guide on Finding housing on your own , and the Stockholm Student Housing Foundation (SSSB) .

Before accepting housing, check:

• how many months the contract and payments cover;

• whether electricity, heating, water and internet are included;

• whether furniture is included or a deposit is required; 

• the commute to campus.

Food

Cooking at home and bringing lunch to campus can reduce food costs. Free-to-use microwaves are available around campus, although there may be queues at popular lunch times.

Some restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets sell discounted food close to its use-by date. Student discounts may also be available through your student card, the Mecenat card .

Transport

Your transport costs will depend on where you live and how often you travel. Eligible students may qualify for discounted public transport. Check the current eligibility rules and ticket prices on SL's student ticket page .

Cycling can be a lower-cost option for some journeys. Consider the distance, terrain, weather, equipment and safe bicycle storage before deciding whether it works for you.

Sports, leisure and shopping

Compare student prices at gyms and sports centres before joining. Lower-cost activities include walking, hiking and visiting museums on free-admission days.

Student discounts through Mecenat and second-hand shops can also reduce the cost of clothing, books, furniture and household items. 

Working while you study

Full-time studies at KTH normally require around 40 hours per week for lectures, coursework and independent study. Consider this workload before taking a part-time job.

International students are allowed to work part-time in Sweden while studying. Your right to work, and any limits or exceptions, depend on your circumstances and current Swedish rules. If you hold or need a residence permit for studies, check the Swedish Migration Agency's official information for higher-education students  before accepting work.

Some jobs require Swedish, while others may be available in English. Some students also find jobs at KTH  during their studies, such as teaching or laboratory assistants, and student ambassador roles, when positions are available.

Some EU/EEA and Swiss citizens may also qualify for Swedish student finance, but eligibility depends on several conditions. Check what applies to your directly with the Swedish Board of Student Finance (CSN) .

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More student budgets

Read about more student budgets from international students on our blog. 

• The International Student Blog