Malmö vs Uppsala
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Malmö leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Uppsala where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Uppsala's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Malmö | Uppsala |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 66 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 47 | 49 |
| Climate | 87 | 79 |
| Safety | 68 | 69 |
| Summer °C | 17.1 | 16.5 |
| Winter °C | 0.2 | -3.7 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | extreme cold / winter |
Malmö vs Uppsala: the short answer
Malmö comes out ahead on overall livability (66/100), only marginally above Uppsala (65/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Uppsala is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Malmö 47 vs Uppsala 49, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Malmö runs warmer in summer (about 17.1°C peak vs 16.5°C in Uppsala), while winter lows sit near 0.2°C in Malmö and -3.7°C in Uppsala. On natural-disaster exposure Uppsala is the safer choice (safety 69/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Malmö and extreme cold / winter for Uppsala.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Uppsala — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Malmö — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Uppsala — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Malmö — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Malmö or Uppsala better to live in?
Malmö scores higher overall — 66 vs 65 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Malmö or Uppsala?
Uppsala has the lower cost of living (cost index 49 vs 47; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Malmö or Uppsala?
Malmö — summer highs reach about 17.1°C versus 16.5°C in Uppsala.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Malmö or Uppsala?
Uppsala (disaster-safety 69/100). Main hazard: flooding in Malmö, extreme cold / winter in Uppsala.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Malmö?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Malmö on our risk index.
How is the Malmö vs Uppsala comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.