Cost of Living: Gothenburg vs Las Palmas (2026)

Sweden vs Spain — relocation comparison

TL;DRGothenburg scores 9.4 vs 8.1 on democracy. Las Palmas summers average 26°C vs 19°C. Both cities will charge you about the same to exist.
78
Livability Score
🇸🇪 Gothenburg
Sweden
Full profile
70
Livability Score
🇪🇸 Las Palmas
Spain
Full profile
Gothenburg edges ahead 78 to 70. Las Palmas isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
💰
Cost of Living
Las Palmas
$32/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Las Palmas
0.6 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Gothenburg
9.4/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
19°C vs 26°C summers
🗣️
English
Gothenburg
higher proficiency score
Gothenburg
Metric
Las Palmas
$1080/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1049/mo
$631/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$462/mo
$3,302
🧳
Cost to land
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.6 / 100k
46 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
19°C
☀️
Summer high
26°C
-3°C
❄️
Winter low
16°C
163 Mbps
Internet speed
9.4 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.1 / 10
Very High (86/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (62/100)
$72k
💼
GDP per capita
$58k
2.8%
📈
Inflation
2.8%
78 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
70 / 100
82/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
99/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

488
PISA
country avg
477
1
Intl schools
15
Yes (Swedish)
Public school
Free for all children; excellent child health clinics (BVC)
Pediatric care
4–12 weeks
Specialist wait
$271/mo
capped*
Childcare
full-day
$499/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
automotivemaritimecleantechfintech
Industries
active
Startup ecosystem
82/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Easy
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Easy
UA visa
Your partner can also work
Spouse works

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 3% cheaper in Las Palmas ($1049/mo vs $1080/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Las Palmas (26°C vs 19°C).
  • Gothenburg scores higher on democracy (9.4 vs 8.1 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Gothenburg (86/100 vs 62/100 English proficiency).

Gothenburg vs Las Palmas — Common Questions

Is Gothenburg cheaper than Las Palmas?

Las Palmas is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1049/month in Las Palmas vs $1080/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Gothenburg or Las Palmas?

Las Palmas is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Gothenburg has a rate of 1.10 per 100,000 and Las Palmas has 0.61 per 100,000.

Should I move to Gothenburg or Las Palmas?

Gothenburg edges ahead 78 to 70. Las Palmas isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Gothenburg or Las Palmas?

Gothenburg: Sweden Self-Employment Permit (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). Las Palmas: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Gothenburg or Las Palmas?

Las Palmas is warmer in summer (26°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.

Can I live in Gothenburg or Las Palmas without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Gothenburg (EF EPI score: 86/100) than in Las Palmas (62/100). In Gothenburg, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Las Palmas, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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