Istanbul vs. Gothenburg: Detailed 2026 Comparison

Gothenburg presents a significantly higher quality of life index (210.81 vs. Istanbul's 88.89), reflecting superior safety (54.04 vs. 38.24), healthcare (69.93 vs. 60.00), and a more favorable climate perception (77.49 vs. 63.00). While Istanbul has lower pollution (19.55 vs. 30.00), Gothenburg's overall living environment scores higher. Economically, Gothenburg boasts a substantially higher GDP per capita ($63,100 vs. $29,300) and a more stable growth rate (0.31% vs. 4.41%), though Istanbul's population growth is slightly higher (0.51% vs. 0.44%). The property price-to-income ratio favors Gothenburg (6.59 vs. 14.50), indicating better housing affordability relative to income.

Gothenburg is considerably more expensive overall, with a Cost of Living Index of 67.3 compared to Istanbul's 54.3. This premium is evident across most categories. Dining out is significantly costlier, with mid-range meals averaging nearly double the price in Gothenburg ($92.48 vs. $48.46). Transportation costs are higher too, with public transit passes costing nearly three times more ($93.57 vs. $33.60). However, groceries are slightly more expensive in Gothenburg ($106.53 vs. $92.28), while utilities are significantly pricier ($119.99 vs. $79.00). Despite the high cost of living, Gothenburg residents enjoy higher average net salaries ($3,980.47 vs. $2,135.00), resulting in a better purchasing power index (170.55 vs. 118.6).

The real estate market differs markedly between the two cities. Gothenburg commands much higher property prices, with city-center square meter costs reaching nearly $5,000 ($6,501.67) compared to Istanbul's $1,600 ($1,300). Even outside the city center, Gothenburg is significantly more expensive ($3,990.24 vs. $900). Monthly rent reflects this disparity, with a one-bedroom apartment in Gothenburg costing nearly $1,000 more on average ($1,086.77 vs. $86.77). The lower property price-to-income ratio in Gothenburg (6.