Your living costs in Stockholm will depend heavily on your lifestyle and spending choices. Getting to grips with your spending will help you plan ahead. Together with our students, we will get you started on your budget.
Living costs in Stockholm
Many students think that living in Stockholm is expensive but compared to the other Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm is consistently ranked as the least expensive. Sweden generally also rank lower than other popular student destinations when it comes to living cost, such as the UK, US, Netherlands, France and Germany.
Student budgets
As budgets can vary significantly from student to student, or current students Sai, Rafel and Samantha share their own budgets and some practical tips.
2024 budget in SEK
Sai
"I found a cheaper accommodation through SSSB, which lowered my budget. I generally always cook lunch at home that I heat on campus."
Rafael
"I use a bike to commute, which saves some money. I also recommend using food saving apps and the Mecenat student discount card."
Samantha
"Having a scholarship means I have more money to spend on hobbies. I usually pack a lunch box. I love exploring the city, so a metro card is a must for me."
Housing
4 100
6 500
7 100
Food
1 800
2 000
1 500
Transport
650
200
650
Healthcare/ insurance
200
300
300
Sports and leisure
1 000
1 000
3 000
Total
7 750
10 000
12 550
If you are a non-EU citizen applying for a residence permit, you must show the Swedish Migration Agency that you have secured financial support of at least SEK 10 314 per month. This amount is not necessarily what you have to spend during your studies. You may pay less or more depending on your lifestyle, spending choices, and financial responsibilities.
Money-saving tips from our students
Think about sharing a place to save on rent, like finding a room in a shared apartment or a corridor room in student housing. These options are usually the cheapest in Stockholm.
Getting on the student housing waitlists early, such as SSSB (Stockholms StudentBostader) , is also a good move. Student housing is usually cheaper than other private accommodation options in Stockholm. If you're a student who doesn't have guaranteed housing through KTH Accommodation, it's common to find temporary housing until you've earned enough queue points to move into student housing.
It's time to brush up on your cooking skills because bringing your own lunch is the best way to save money on food as a student. You can easily find free-to-use microwaves all around campus. In fact, it's common to have to wait in line to heat up your lunchbox during peak lunch hours.
Another great way to save money is to check out "food-saving" apps. Many restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets offer food boxes with items close to expiration dates at a discounted price.
Lastly, remember to ask for student discounts! Many supermarkets and restaurants, both on and off campus, offer reduced prices for students. You can take advantage of this simple by showing your Mecenat card.
With the Mecenat card, you can also get a good student discount on SL, Stockholm's public transport. But if you want to save even more, you can give biking a shot.
Renting a bike or getting a second-hand one is pretty easy. Depending on where you live, you might even have some awesome views of the forest, parks and/or water on your way to class.
Just a heads up: Stockholm can be pretty hilly, so depending on your route, prepare for a good cardio workout.
Swedes love staying active, whether indoors or outdoors. It's not uncommon for professors to tell students to take a break from studying and go explore nature on the weekends.
Student discounts are available at most private gyms and sport centers like KTH Hallen and Frescati. Affordable activities also include kayaking at Brunnsviken and ice skating at Kungsträdgården (free, if you bring your own skates).
You can also check out hiking in the national parks around Stockholm and visit cool historical spots like Vaxholm in the archipelago.
If you're into shopping, you'll love this: most big stores offer great deals for students through the Mecenat card and app. Thrift shopping is also a big deal in Stockholm, not just for clothes, but for stuff like home goods, books, board games, furniture, you name it. It's a cool way to save money and help the planet!
Second-hand markets like the weekend flea market at Hötorget, or yard sales ("Loppis" as they're called in Swedish) are also super popular among students. And here's a tip: most student accommodations have a WhatsApp group where students sell second-hand items.
Working during studies
International students are allowed to work in Sweden, and there is no legal limit to the number of hours allowed to work while studying full time. Of course, your studies should always be your top priority. Bear in mind that if you want to work in Sweden, learning some Swedish is vital since it is often a requirement for jobs. Some students find work at KTH during their studies as, for example, lab and teaching assistants.
