Cost of Living: Belgrade vs Gothenburg (2026)

Belgrade is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $904/month in Belgrade vs $1080/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Belgrade is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Belgrade has a rate of 1.02 per 100,000 and Gothenburg has 1.10 per 100,000.

Gothenburg scores 80 to Belgrade's 70 on livability — the gap is real. Belgrade has its charms, but the numbers favor Gothenburg. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Belgrade: Serbia Visa-Free Stay (easy to get, 90 days (extendable)). Gothenburg: Sweden Self-Employment Permit (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Belgrade is warmer in summer (27°C vs 19°C). Gothenburg has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Gothenburg is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Belgrade (56/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $904/month in Belgrade, $1080/month in Gothenburg (Numbeo). That's 16% cheaper rent in Belgrade.

Gothenburg scores 9.4/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.3/10 for Belgrade. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Gothenburg scores higher on our composite healthcare index (84/100 vs 69/100 for Belgrade). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.