14 Best Cities To Work In Sweden For a Promising Career

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Wanting to be employed in the Swedish nation, but not sure of which would be the best destination or the benefits the different cities of Sweden could offer?

Sweden, the fifth largest country in Europe, is as well one of the top cities voted and ranked on the good country index. Sweden is not just popular for its outstanding healthcare and welfare, but also for providing its residents with high standards of living. Sweden has many cities to live and work in as well it has been popular for imbibing and implementing many Green policies, and also is a country whose residents (more than 80%) prefer to reside in and around the natural landscapes.

Swedish people are also known to be second best in terms of English speakers around the world. The first ever European national park was in this green city, which was way back in the year 1909. Sweden has not just been the powerhouse of Green policies implementation, but the country has as well got a lot of charm to offer to the residents and immigrants which includes, a modern and upgraded lifestyle along with high-paying jobs, great entertainment associates like popular music, etc.

Without any further ado, let’s dive in and discuss the top cities to live and work in Sweden, followed by which cities would be best to avoid associating with and the tax structure involved in Sweden.

Best Cities to Live and Work in Sweden

1. Stockholm

Stockholm is the country’s capital and no doubt one of the best destinations for city preference in Sweden. It is a great place for immigrants to arrive and start a new life, as the city offers you high diversity, recreation, culture, heritage, state-of-the-art public transportation, and many more.

Stockholm is also known as the Silicon Valley of Europe for being home to many major tech companies, thanks to the welcoming business environment and well–educated workforce.

The cost of living in this green city might be a little high priced as the rental average here is around $1,600 monthly with an average after-tax salary amounting to $3,500.

2. Gothenburg

Gothenburg, the blue-collar historic city is located on the west coast and is also diversely populated. Having the largest port in Scandinavia, Gothenburg has been major goods transportation hub. The city is home to major corporations and white-collar tech giants from around the world. Gothenburg’s offerings are similar to that of Stockholm in terms of recreation, culture, and heritage.

The cost-of-living factors like rentals are affordable compared to Stockholm and American cities with an average of around $1,100, while the average after-tax salaries account for $3,300 monthly just slightly less than Stockholm.

3. Vasteras

Vasteras is one of the oldest cities in Sweden that is a little far away from the capital around 60 miles and is located nearer to the geographic center of Sweden, the city connects to the Baltic Sea through Malaran lake. First known as the Viking settlement the old section of the town offers you to explore Viking burial mounds, an old church, ancient wells, etc.

Sweden has its largest power plant located in Vasteras and the city has been famous primarily as an industrial city, manufacturing parts, like high voltage power grids and lithium-ion batteries. The city has as well been a contributor of nuclear fuel and associated parts producers for plant usage.

The average after-tax salary in Vasteras is the same as that of the capital city Stockholm i.e., $3,500, but the rentals average is less comparatively, which is equal to Gothenburg i.e., $1,100 only while the other aspects of the cost of living is similar to every other city in Sweden.

4. Malmo

Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden with more than 3 lakh residents. Located 400 miles south of the capital city Malmo offers you an ideal rather warm climate and less snow cover. Though the shipping industry has been shrinking for over 50 years the city still sustains to be the major transportation connector to Copenhagen, Norway, etc.

The best thing about Malmo is that the major population of this city is skewed towards the young and dynamic that is below 35 years. Though the blue-collar jobs and construction jobs have been high the city has as well witnessed hype in the growing tech industry.

The cost of living in the city is quite affordable with the average amounting to around $900 which is quite less than Stockholm and Gothenburg, while the average after-tax salaries are as well less which is just around $2,700.

5. Uppsala

Uppsala located just 45 miles north of Stockholm is home to the oldest university in Scandinavia. The city’s historic heritage is prevalent in its west where the university, church, and museums are located, while the opposite side i.e., east is more about modern residency and commercial localities.

Uppsala has been known to be the leader of the biotech industry, and the city is not only an attraction for the young and working class (thanks to the magnificent public transportation network) but also the city attracts people of all ages (thanks to the rich heritage and arts in the city).

The average after-tax salary for people employed in Uppsala is about $3,100, while the cost of living factors like rentals in Uppsala is just about $900 which is nearly just 50% of the rentals in Stockholm which by the way is one of the major reasons for the immigrants willing to come to Uppsala as the capital city is just 40-50 mins away and the though the other cost of living factors stands similar, the huge difference in rentals brings you the edge.

6. Helsingborg

Helsingborg is located in the southwestern corner of Sweden, north of Malmo with a population of just above one million. This is one of the oldest cities in Sweden having a rich history way back to 1085 to date and the famous pedestrian shopping street i.e., Kullagatan was the first even shopping street in Sweden.

Helsingborg is just about 2.5 miles to the coast of Denmark, and you get to have the benefit of ferries running 24/7 between the two countries. Helsingborg is as well home to varied major corporations like IKEA, Ramlosa, Tailor store, Zoegas Coffee, etc.

The average after-tax salary in Helsingborg is around $3,100 while the average rental in the city is about $885, the other expenses stand similar to those of American countries.

7. Orebro

Orebro is located 60 miles further to Vasteras, around the geographic center of Sweden connecting to the Baltic sea via Hjalmaren lake and Svartan river. The city located in a central location has made it famous for transportation and shipping companies.

The country has a fairly diverse population with employment markets in real estate, truck parts, banking, fashion, and livestock processing, etc, and more. Orebro is also the home to some of the world’s robotic companies and is also second named Robot Valley.

The average after-tax salary in Orebro is similar to Uppsala i.e., $3,100 while the cost-of-living factors like the rentals average are the lowest i.e. $675 monthly only. If we see the income-to-rent ratio it’s just 21%.

8. Linkoping

Linkoping is located towards the center of Sweden Country, is home to many famous churches, and offers a cultural and heritage lifestyle similar to that of Stockholm along with the benefits of recreation. You get to find a huge employment market in this city and the top employers’ list includes Saab airplanes, Medical technology companies, Software companies, Toyota, Motorola, etc.

Having to find rentals in Linkoping is very affordable at just around the average of $625, which is very less compared to the English countries. The Average after-tax salaries in the city are around $3,100 and the income-to-rent ratio of the city monthly is 20%, good to say that this is the best option on the list.

9. Jonkoping

Jonkoping is located on the southern tip of Vattern lake and is just 80 miles south of Linkoping. Being near Sweden’s geographic center, the city offers you different facilities through land and water.

Today Jonkoping has made its stand as a major center for Nordic trade with big organizations from around the world like IKEA, Electrolux, etc, having their warehouses located here. This city provides you with a large job market and has been known for holding the largest convention dedicated to industrial forestry.

If we take a look into the average after-tax salaries in Jonkoping is around $3,100, while the cost of living factors, the rentals here are averaged around $850, much more affordable compared to cities like Chicago, while other expenses would account you the same.

10. Eskilstuna

Eskilstuna is one of the important industrial cities of Sweden and has been known for its contribution of being the biggest Steel producer for Sweden at the time of the Industrial revolution. The city is as well home to the largest and best hospital in the region. Eskilstuna is located 70 miles west of Stockholm and is the home to a large number of Finnish Speaking Swedes.

Having a peek into the average after-tax salary in the city is estimated at around $3,200 monthly, while the cost of living factors like rentals is still quite affordable i.e., averaging around $700 which is even less than in Jonkoping.

11. Marstrand

Marstrand is located on the southwest coast of Sweden, and it has a population of about 1300 plus. The country is famously known as the Hollywood of the Swedish economy. Exploring this city could bring you the utmost excitement. Marstrand has got pretty good attractions like rich history, culture, old palaces, museums, awesome food, and restaurants, and most importantly not to forget the stunning beaches and coastline.

Summer witnesses the highest traffic in Marstrand, with the perfect temperature to explore i.e., about 11 to 21 degrees Celsius, while winters have a bit of extreme temperature i.e., 1 to -3 degrees centigrade respectively.

The average after-tax salary in Marstrand is around $2,700 and while the cost of living factors like rentals is around $650 to $950 respectively.

12. Solna

Solna is a municipality located just north of Stockholm, and is known, and voted to be one of the best cities to reside in Sweden. Being close to Stockholm enables you quick transportation (to and fro) to the city with ease. The city offers you a varied job market and is popular for having low corporate taxes, hence attracting start-ups and companies to set up operations here.

Solna is not largely populated, and the best part is that the city is in proximity to nature thus considered excellent or ideal for families’ residences. The temperature here ranges between 14 to 22 degrees centigrade in summer and between -1 to 3 degrees centigrade in winter.

The average after-tax salary in Marstrand is around $2,820 and while the cost of living factors cumulatively is estimated at around $1,791 respectively.

13. Umea

Umea is located on the North-Eastern coast and serves as an inlet of the Gulf of Bothnia and river Umi. The city is also famously known as the regional center of Northern Sweden and has been the preference for students and immigrants.

Umea, along with boasting about its university, culture, and diversity, has got a lot more great experiences for you to explore like the annual jazz festival, a variety of museums, music and film festivals, etc. In 2014 Umea was also elected to be the European Cultural Capital.

Though the city only has limited daylight, the temperatures here can be quite freezing in winter i.e., -38.2 degree Celsius in February to 11 to 21 degrees centigrade in around the summer.

The average after-tax salary in Marstrand is around $2,018 and while the cost of living factors are cumulatively estimated at around $1,174 respectively.

14. Lund

Lund is a smaller town in the Swedish country compared to Orebro and Helsingborg, with a population count of less than one lakh residents. The university in the town goes way back in history and was founded around 1666 but remains one of the latest Swedish universities to date.

The city is best suitable for students as Lund always has progressive and vibrant vibes to pump you up with and offers the experience of living in a city of rich ancient culture and heritage.

Cities Better to Avoid in Sweden

Above we have explored all the best cities to reside and work in Sweden, and now we look into the cities suggestively to avoid. The reasons for this include improper infrastructure, limited cultural and other activities, safety, employment opportunities, etc, and many more. These cities are Bjuv, Svenljunga, Sodertalje, Horby and Flen.

Taxes in Sweden

Sweden has the highest tax structure in the world, with a tax rate reaching up to 57%. Generally, these tax deductions do make the after-tax salary look very less but it is important to note that the government returns this contribution in form of retirement benefits, health care, child care, sick leaves, parental leaves, elder care, etc, and more.

Employment income tax for residents

Employment income is taxed at the following rounded taxable income amounts (2023):

Employment income tax for non-residents

Non-residents employed by Swedish employers or foreign employers with permanent establishments (PE) in Sweden are subject to a flat tax rate of 25% at source. When a pension is paid from a Swedish source to a person who is not a Swedish tax resident, the same rate is used.

Capital Tax

Capital income is generally taxed at a flat rate of 30%.

(Source: Taxes in Sweden)

Which city in Sweden do you think is the most suitable for you?

No doubt Sweden provides impressive benefits to the people residing in the country, from employment opportunities to mind-blowing natural landscapes, recreation opportunities, to professional and personal life balance, and many more, but as an immigrant, before deciding on the best cities to live and work in Sweden as your destination it is important to decide if the economic model of Sweden fit your expectation or if is it worth being burdened with the huge tax slabs.

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