Skyline of Malmö
Cost of Living: 112 316,000

Malmö, Sweden

A multicultural city connected to Copenhagen by the Øresund Bridge, known for its modern architecture and parks.

Updated October 22, 2026

Overview

Malmö is a city in Skåne with a population of 316,000. A multicultural city connected to Copenhagen by the Øresund Bridge, known for its modern architecture and parks. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Cost of Living 112

Above Average vs Sweden Avg (100)

Housing Index 118

Above Average

Median Income SEK 370,000

Household income

Unemployment 7.0%

Job market health

Malmö vs Sweden Average

Cost of Living
Malmö: 112
Sweden Avg: 100
Housing Index
Malmö: 118
Sweden Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 25.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: SEK 370,000
  • Unemployment: 7.0%
  • Population: 316,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 70°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 200 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: kr3,800,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr10000/mo

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Cost of Living

Malmö's cost of living index is 112 (Sweden average = 100).

CategoryMalmöNational AverageDifference
Overall112100+12.0%
Housing118100+18.0%

Data source: SCB / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr3,800,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr10000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr12,500/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr2,533

Data source: Hemnet / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

kr
%
$90,000 down
%
%
kr

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Malmö:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitykr250
Heating & Coolingkr191Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterkr80Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)kr100Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitieskr621Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Energimarknadsinspektionen, Vattenfall, Telia 2025

Remote Work Score

Malmö scores 79/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 112
Rent
— kr10000
Sunny Days
— 190
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 7.0%
Climate
— 70°F / 30°F
Safety
— 0.9 homicides/100k
Population
— 316,000
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Malmö has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April55°F45°F2.8"
July70°F45°F1.5"
October50°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Malmö faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Sweden experiences severe winter storms.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Hilly region with landslides.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.75% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 7.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Malmö per 100,000 residents:

88.2
Violent Crime
3,378.8
Property Crime
0.9
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Semester — Autumn (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (1 week, sportlov)

Sportlov (sports break) in February/March varies by region.

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#1797
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Malmö University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Malmö is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

EU foreign
5.8%
Foreign
13.5%
Foreign-born
36.0%
National
86.5%
Non-EU foreign
7.7%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
42.5%
High school graduate
34.7%
Less than high school
22.8%

Religion

Demographic composition is derived from the Eurostat Urban Audit (city-level). Ethnicity figures are based on nationality / country of birth, as European statistics do not collect race or ethnicity data. Education figures reflect the highest level of education attained by the population aged 25-64.

Data source: Eurostat Urban Audit (2025)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Malmö, Sweden?

The cost of living index in Malmö is 112, which is Higher the Sweden national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Malmö?

The median home price in Malmö is kr3,800,000. The housing index is 118.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Malmö is approximately kr10000/mo.

Does Malmö, Skåne have income tax?

Malmö is in Skåne, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Malmö?

Malmö enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 70°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: SCB / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Hemnet / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: SCB Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Energimarknadsinspektionen, Vattenfall, Telia 2025

Data last updated: October 23, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.