Written by Jazmin
30 Apr 2025
One of the biggest questions international students have before moving abroad is: How much does it really cost to live in Sweden? As students, we’re usually on a tight budget—and trust me, the answer can vary a lot depending on your habits, whether you’re a strict budgeter, a spontaneous spender (like me!), or if you follow a vegetarian or special diet. To give you a real sense of what student life looks like in terms of expenses, I asked some of my friends how much they spend per month while living in Lund. Hopefully, this gives you a helpful, honest guide to plan your own budget!
Marco 🇵🇪
My budget in Lund is highly dependent on my lifestyle and has varied significantly from month to month. My first expense was 3,918 SEK for my room through LU Accommodation, although after the fifth month it increased to 4,326 SEK. I hope to reduce this amount by eventually moving to a place with lower rent. On the other hand, my most consistent expense has been food, which I estimate at around 3,200 SEK per month. I haven’t needed to spend on transportation, as I walk everywhere. I have had some extra expenses, for example during the winter when I bought jackets and warm clothing, spending around 4,000 SEK in total — but that was a one-time cost. In general, I don’t usually travel and focus on my studies. I would say that by living frugally, I spend approximately 7,500 SEK per month.
Daniela 🇬🇹
For my basic expenses, first I pay my rent, which is 4,750 SEK, all inclusive. Grocery shopping is going to vary each week, but I usually spend around 700–800 SEK. I also pay the monthly train/bus ticket to get around Lund, which is 475.50 SEK. After that, I might eat out for around 100 to 150 SEK (depending on the restaurant—it could go a little higher). I pay for the gym (Gerdahallen), which is around 363 SEK. Some coffee runs or ice cream runs can be between 10 SEK to 90 SEK depending on the treat. In total, I spend approximately 9028 SEK.
Clara 🇮🇩
I’m staying in a 2-room shared apartment with a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living room, which costs 4,800 SEK per month, all inclusive. I am a vegetarian and a weekly grocery shopper. I typically spend around 500–700 SEK per week (approximately 2,800 SEK per month) to buy fresh products such as veggies and plant-based food.
I also allocate at least 250 SEK per week (around 1,000 SEK per month) for other necessities, like fika or simply spending quality time with friends. I buy a monthly student city ticket for Malmö–Lund, which costs around 750 SEK. Altogether, I spend approximately 10,000 SEK per month to cover my basic living expenses here.
As you can see, student budgets in Lund can look quite different depending on housing, lifestyle, and personal habits. Whether you’re more of a saver or someone who loves the occasional splurge (hello, fika!), there’s definitely a way to make it work. Hopefully, hearing from real students gives you a clearer picture of what to expect—and remember, it’s all about finding the balance that works best for you. 💸✨
