Gothenburg vs Malé: cost of living for digital nomads
Gothenburg, Sweden and Malé, Maldives, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Malé is about 6% cheaper than Gothenburg for a month of nomad living ($2,300 vs $2,450).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,150 in Gothenburg against $1,200 in Malé.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Gothenburg: 250 Mbps typical against 35 Mbps.
- Gothenburg is temperate; Malé is tropical.
Gothenburg wins 3 of the measured lines; Malé wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Gothenburg or Malé?
Malé is cheaper: about $2,300/month against $2,450/month in Gothenburg, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Gothenburg or Malé?
Gothenburg and Malé score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Gothenburg or Malé?
Gothenburg has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 35 Mbps in Malé.
| Line | Gothenburg | Malé |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,450 | $2,300 |
| Rent | $1,150 | $1,200 |
| Food | $560 | $500 |
| Transport | $80 | $80 |
| Coworking | $170 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 35 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | mid |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Malé
Expensive island capital; many nomads base on cheaper local islands.
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Gothenburg September 11, 2026, Malé November 4, 2026.