Find a bargain in Budapest or indulge in luxury in Milan
The autumn holidays are coming soon, and many are thinking about a shopping weekend as a glimmer of light in the autumn darkness. Maybe you want to update your wardrobe or take the opportunity to buy Christmas presents. But how much does it cost? The FOREX Shopping Index gives Swedes an idea of what they get for their money in ten cities with a wide range of stores.
How much does the new wardrobe cost
FOREX Shopping Index* compares the price of a selected shopping bag with clothing and everyday expenses in different major cities. In Paris, for example, jeans in the shopping cart cost around SEK 1,100, almost twice as much as in New York, where the equivalent garment costs SEK 635. However, a lunch in Paris is on average 30% cheaper than in The Big Apple.
Many people compare prices to avoid surprises, but it is equally important to know how to pay on the spot. Cash, cards and local payment habits can affect both cost and experience.
– Bring both cash and cards with you on your trip, it's the most convenient. Cards work in big cities, but cash is appreciated in smaller stores and markets – and it can make bargaining easier. If you buy local currency for your destination before departure, you also avoid card fees and unnecessary surcharges, says Niklas Lydahl, COO at FOREX.
The items in the FOREX shopping bag are about SEK 600 cheaper in New York than in Stockholm, and in Rome they cost SEK 1500 less. In Milan, the shopping bag costs about the same (4400 SEK) as at home. The fact that several of the cities still have a higher total index than Stockholm is due to other costs on site, especially hotels. If you have friends to stay with or are considering other accommodation options, the shopping trip can be cheaper than the index shows.
In Sweden, about one in seven payments is made in cash. In Hungary, just over half of customers still pay with banknotes and coins, while in Italy almost two out of three use cash at the checkout, according to FOREX Cash Index.
– If you have a well-thought-out mix of cash and cards, you are prepared for all situations. FOREX store employees will help you maximize your travel funds for your particular trip, says Niklas Lydahl.
FOREX SHOPPING INDEX 2025**
| CITY | INDEX |
| Budapest | 73 |
| Berlin | 85 |
| Barcelona | 92 |
| Rome | 97 |
| Madrid | 100 |
| Stockholm | 100 |
| London | 112 |
| Milan | 114 |
| Paris | 114 |
| Copenhagen | 117 |
| New York | 137 |
*The FOREX Shopping Bag contains 1 pair of jeans (Levi's 501 or similar), 1 summer dress (from a clothing chain such as Zara, H&M or similar), 1 pair of running shoes from Nike (mid-price level) and 1 pair of men's leather shoes.
**In addition to the shopping bag, the FOREX Shopping Index includes, among other things, the cost of hotels, restaurant visits and taxis, as well as shopping. The prices in the FOREX Shopping Index are taken from Numbeo 3–10 September 2025. hotel prices are obtained from Trivago and refer to 11-19 Oct 2025. Taxis are calculated for a journey of five kilometers, and hotel rates are for two people in three-star hotels. Keep in mind that a low index overall doesn't always mean that all costs are cheaper – some expenses may still be higher; The index gives an indication of the price level at the destination.