Kalmar Municipality
73,068 residents
Kalmar has strong school results, a growing population and many job openings, but a low sense of safety.
Strongest
- Schoolsrank 19 of 290
- Population growthrank 48 of 290
- Job openingsrank 72 of 290
Weakest
- Safetyrank 190 of 249
- House pricesrank 214 of 290
The quiz and the compare page are in Swedish.
Scores and key figures
How Kalmar compares with the other municipalities. The score is based on rank, using the same figures as the rankings: 5 is first place in Sweden and 1 is last, and a high score is always good, for example low tax or low house prices. Tap an area for the figures behind it.
Housing & economy
2.1 House pricesrank 214 of 290
3.3 Municipal taxrank 127 of 290
2.7 Median incomerank 164 of 290
2.4 Close to naturerank 191 of 290
Safety & family
2.0 Safetyrank 190 of 249
4.8 Schoolsrank 19 of 290
3.6 Preschoolrank 102 of 290
Care
3.0 Home carerank 145 of 290
Jobs & business
2.8 Labour marketrank 160 of 290
4.0 Job openingsrank 72 of 290
2.2 New businessesrank 202 of 290
Growth
4.3 Population growthrank 48 of 290
Other
Source: Kolada, Statistics Sweden (SCB), Swedish Public Employment Service (Jobtech), SMHI, Valmyndigheten. "Sweden" is the source's own national figure where there is one (every Kolada measure and SCB's house prices), otherwise Kommunlotsen's own population-weighted average across all municipalities. The bar under each measure shows placement among municipalities, not where the number sits between the lowest and highest value: a full bar is best in Sweden, the middle tick is the median municipality and the diamond shows where Sweden's average places. The "highest" and "lowest" labels mark the 10 highest and lowest of Sweden's municipalities and are not judgements of quality. Sources and licences: open data page (in Swedish). Last updated .
Origin
20.4% have a foreign background (Sweden 27.6%), 16.1% are foreign-born (Sweden 20.8%), 9.6% of all residents were born outside Europe (Sweden 12%).
The most common countries of birth among foreign-born residents. Select a country to see where in Sweden the group lives.
- Syria 2.8% of residents
- Iraq 1% of residents
- Poland 0.7% of residents
- Bosnia & Herzegovina 0.7% of residents
- Afghanistan 0.7% of residents
- Iran 0.6% of residents
- Germany 0.6% of residents
- Former Yugoslavia 0.5% of residents
- Greece 0.4% of residents
- Finland 0.4% of residents
Where in Sweden do people born in Syria live? · Origins by country
Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB). "Foreign background" adds the foreign-born to people born in Sweden to two foreign-born parents. "Born outside Europe" follows the UN's regional classification. Shares and the national figure are Kommunlotsen's own calculations from SCB data.
Self-sufficiency
74.1% of residents aged 20–64 in Kalmar are self-sufficient (Sweden 74.4%). That means an income of at least three income base amounts a year, about SEK 229,000 in 2024. Full-time students below that level are counted separately.
- Self-sufficient 74.1%
- Studying 6.9%
- Not self-sufficient 19%
Share of self-sufficient residents aged 20–64, 2024. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Refugees
5,366 residents of Kalmar came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee. That is 7.3% of residents (Sweden 7.3%).
Main income source of refugees and family members aged 20–65
- Pay 67.2%
- Unemployment benefit 8.5%
- Student aid 6.5%
- Sickness or activity compensation 4.9%
- Parental benefit 2.1%
- Social assistance 6.8%
- No benefit or pension 3.9%
Number 2025, work and income source 2024 (age 20–65). "In work" means employed according to Statistics Sweden's register data. "Sweden" is Statistics Sweden's national figure. Groups of fewer than 100 people are not reported. Source: Statistics Sweden (SCB).
Housing & leisure
Commuting
Share of employed residents who commute across the municipal border. A "bedroom community" sends at least 60% out and takes in under 50%; a "job hub" is the reverse; a "commuter hub" has at least 50% both ways.
People
Everyday life & connectivity
2026 municipal election
In the municipal council election on 13 September 2026, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Kalmar with 39.7% of the vote and 25 of 61 seats. Turnout was 84.6% (Sweden 82.3%).
Seats on the municipal council (61)
- PartyVotevs 2022Seats
- Social Democrats 39.7% +1.5 25
- Moderates 22.1% +1.0 14
- Sweden Democrats 12.2% −0.5 8
- Left Party 6.9% +0.3 4
- Christian Democrats 6.4% ±0.0 4
- Centre Party 5.1% −0.8 3
- Green Party 4.4% +0.5 3
- Liberals 2.4% −1.2 0
- Other parties 0.9% 0
Final, certified result. Share of valid votes; change since the 2022 election in percentage points. The eight parties in the Riksdag are always shown, other parties when they won seats. "Other parties" is all remaining parties combined. Source: Swedish Election Authority (Valmyndigheten), official record (Swedish).
Municipal finances
Nature
Neighbouring and similar municipalities
Neighbouring municipalities
The municipalities that border Kalmar.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Mörbylånga | 22.2% | SEK 3.2m |
| Nybro | 22.3% | SEK 1.5m |
| Borgholm | 21.6% | SEK 2.9m |
| Torsås | 21.9% | SEK 1.4m |
| Mönsterås | 22.2% | SEK 1.6m |
| Emmaboda | 22.0% | SEK 1.1m |
Similar municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden most like Kalmar, in the scores for the twelve areas and in size.
| Municipality | Tax | House price |
|---|---|---|
| Halmstad | 21.0% | SEK 4.2m |
| Borås | 21.3% | SEK 3.3m |
| Karlstad | 21.3% | SEK 3.5m |
| Växjö | 20.2% | SEK 3.4m |
| Gävle | 22.3% | SEK 3.5m |
Borders from Wikidata. Distance is a straight line between the municipalities' main towns. Tax is the municipal tax rate and house price the average price of a house.
Frequently asked questions about Kalmar
- How many people live in Kalmar?
- Kalmar has 73,068 residents, making it Sweden’s 33rd largest municipality out of 290. It is in Kalmar County.
- What is the municipal tax rate in Kalmar?
- The municipal tax rate in Kalmar is 21.8%, compared with 20.7% for Sweden as a whole.
- How much does a house cost in Kalmar?
- The average single-family house in Kalmar costs SEK 3.6 million, which is cheaper than the national average (Sweden SEK 3.9 million).
- What is the average age in Kalmar?
- The average age in Kalmar is 41.9 years (Sweden 42.4 years).
- What share of people in Kalmar are self-sufficient?
- 74.1% of residents aged 20–64 in Kalmar are self-sufficient, meaning an income of at least three income base amounts a year (Sweden 74.4%).
- How many refugees live in Kalmar?
- 5,366 residents of Kalmar came to Sweden as refugees or as family members of a refugee, 7.3% of residents. 65.6% of those aged 20–65 are in work.
- Which party is largest in Kalmar?
- In the 2026 municipal election, the Social Democrats became the largest party in Kalmar with 39.7% of the vote and 25 of 61 seats on the municipal council. Turnout was 84.6%.
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