Best Cities in Sweden to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
Gothenburg
78/100Stockholm
75/100Malmo
73/100Compare cities in Sweden
❓ Living in Sweden — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Sweden?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Gothenburg ranks #1 in Sweden with a score of 78/100, and city-centre rent from around $1080/month.
What is the safest city in Sweden?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Gothenburg is the safest city in Sweden in our database, with a rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Gothenburg or Stockholm?▾
Gothenburg scores 78/100 on our Livability Score vs 75/100 for Stockholm. Rent is $1080/mo in Gothenburg vs $1816/mo in Stockholm. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Sweden?▾
Sweden offers the Sweden Self-Employment Permit (complex process). Duration: 2 years (renewable). Key requirement: Must show business viability + SEK 200,000 savings (SEK 100k/spouse, 50k/child). Apply from abroad only.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.