Stockholm vs Berlin on SEK 1,000,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of SEK 1,000,000 a year, a single employee takes home SEK 56,746 a month in Stockholm (68% of gross) and €4,437 a month in Berlin on the equivalent €90,000 (59%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Berlin is 7% cheaper than Stockholm overall (cost-of-living index 52.4 vs 56.4, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,312 a month in Berlin and SEK 16,635 in Stockholm, which leaves €3,125 and SEK 40,111 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €4,024 a month in Berlin: this salary leaves €413 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 9% less in Berlin than in Stockholm, eating out 12% less and rent 0% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes SEK 270,075 a year in Stockholm and €19,438 in Berlin; social contributions and other levies take SEK 48,972 and €17,317.
| Stockholm | Berlin | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | SEK 1,000,000 | €90,000 |
| Income tax per year | SEK 270,075 | €19,438 |
| Social contributions per year | SEK 48,972 | €17,317 |
| Take-home pay per month | SEK 56,746 | €4,437 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | SEK 16,635 | €1,312 |
| Left after rent | SEK 40,111 | €3,125 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 56.4 | 52.4 |
How each figure is taxed: Sweden tax calculator and Germany tax calculator; prices: cost of living in Stockholm and in Berlin. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Stockholm vs Berlin
Is Berlin, Germany more expensive than Stockholm, Sweden?
Berlin, Germany is 7% cheaper than Stockholm, Sweden overall. On a gross salary of kr1,000,000 a year, you take home kr56,746 a month in Stockholm, Sweden and €4,437 a month in Berlin, Germany after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Berlin, Germany vs Stockholm, Sweden?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Stockholm, Sweden, you could save about €413 a month (€4,959 a year) in Berlin, Germany on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Germany vs Sweden?
On kr1,000,000 gross a year you take home kr56,746 a month in Sweden and €4,437 a month in Germany. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.