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TRONDHEIM

Moving to Norway: How much money do I need to live in Trondheim? 

Trondheim, in the heart of central Norway, is a popular place for foreign residents to call home. But how much money will you need to live comfortably there? The Local has crunched the numbers.

Published: 10 October 2022 13:51 CEST
Updated: 22 November 2023 10:54 CET
Pictured is Trondheim.
Want to call Trondheim home but don't know how much money you will need? The Local has broken down the key costs. Pictured is Trondheim.

Lying in the heart of Norway is Trondheim, Norway’s third biggest city. The city is often billed as Norway’s tech capital, with many moving there to work within the sector or study at NTNU- Norway’s leading natural sciences and technology university. 

The greater Trondheim region is home to around 800 tech companies, meaning there are ample job opportunities to pursue if you are considering a move there. 

So, how much money will you need to call the city home? 

Accommodation: 5,600- 13,900 kroner per month

Renting in Trondheim is considerably cheaper than in Oslo and roughly on par with Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen. 

The cost of renting a small one-room property in Trondheim is about 9,300 kroner when using figures from the rental agency Hybel. When using figures from a different rental agency, Utleiemegleren, the average monthly cost of renting in Trondheim is 13,800 kroner. This figure takes into account larger properties with more rooms. 

According to Hybel, a three-room place will set tenants back 14,673 kroner per month. 

A room is significantly cheaper, with the average being just over 5,600 kroner each month.

Utilities: 500- 1,200 kroner

This can be hard to set a definite price on, given that energy prices in Norway can fluctuate between seasons.  Luckily, however, energy prices in central Norway are typically cheaper than in the south. 

When using a comparison site for a house with annual consumption ranging from 16,000 kWh (average for a detached house) energy bills start at around 321 kroner per month. If the consumption was higher at 25,000 kWh bills would rise to 560 kroner monthly. 

Another utility to consider in Norway would be the internet bill, with prices beginning at around 400 kroner per month. 

Food: 4,270 kroner

Consumption Research Norway (SIFO) estimates that the average cost of food for someone aged between 31- 50 was up to 4,270 kroner per month.

Eurostat, which monitors price levels across the EU, EEA and EU candidate countries, has ranked Norway with the second highest price level index for food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Only Switzerland had a higher price level index than the countries monitored by the stats agency. A price level index measures the price levels of a given nation relative to other countries. This means that compared to the rest of the other countries measured, food and non-alcoholic beverages in Norway are the second most expensive overall.

READ MORE: Five essential tips for saving money on food shopping in Norway

Transport: up to 920 kroner (monthly transport ticket) 

Public transport firm AtB (literally A to B) runs public transport in Norway’s third largest city. A monthly ticket on Trondheim’s metro buses and tramline will cost you 890 kroner, or less if you are a student. 

If you don’t require public transport daily, you can buy a single ticket which costs 43 kroner, or a daily ticket which costs 126 kroner. Using public transport in Trondheim is slightly more expensive than in Oslo and Bergen. A weekly ticket costs 301 kroner. A monthly ticket is very costly at 920 kroner.  

The city also has a decent cycle-lane network which could prove a more cost-effective option in the long term. 

Childcare: 2,927 kroner

Roughly 90 percent of children living in Norway attend a kindergarten. The maximum price for a kindergarten spot in Norway is 3,050 kroner per month. This applies to both municipal and private kindergartens. 

But, if the cost exceeds 6 percent of total household income, you can pay a reduced price. This price applies to both municipal and private kindergartens. There are also discounts for those with more than one child. 

Our figure includes the average cost in Trondheim, including additional fees, not just the price of a place at a kindergarten.

READ MORE: Everything parents in Norway need to know about preschool

It’s unlikely that you’ll want to be sat all week indoors after moving to a new city, so you’ll obviously want to know how much you can expect to shell out for one of the country’s infamously expansive beers while out:

Beer: 99-125 kroner 

A glass of wine: 105-115 kroner

Cocktail: 120-140 kroner

Coffee: 44 kroner 

Cinema: 140- 180 kroner 

Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: 700-900 kroner

A cinnamon bun or hot dog: 45-65 kroner

Gym membership: 450-750 kroner

Member comments

  1. These costs are remarkably similar to Fresno, California. Fresno is a “working class” city without a high cost of living. There are some fairly expensive homes in Fresno, but they are an exception. The cost of living exceptions include a much higher utility cost in Fresno ($375 to $600 per month or around 4125- 6600 NOK) and gasoline ($4.50 a gallon / 490 NOK per gallon, or around 123 NOK per liter)

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For members

MOVING TO NORWAY

Six downsides of retiring in Norway

Sometimes, documentaries and publications romanticise retiring in Norway. While the Scandinavian country can be a great place to retire, it comes with its own challenges that you should carefully consider.

Published: 15 May 2024 16:13 CEST
Six downsides of retiring in Norway

Before we dive into the drawbacks of retiring in Norway, it’s only fair to recognise the country’s many attractions for prospective retirees.

With its generous welfare system and top-notch healthcare, Norway often ranks among the top retirement destinations. A recent Natixis study named it the best country to retire in 2024.

READ MORE: Five reasons to retire in Norway

However, on the flip side, there are several significant downsides that require reflection if you’re considering Norway as your future retirement home.

Norway is (really) expensive

You guessed it – we’re starting this list with an issue that affects everyone who moves to the country (as well as everyone who already calls Norway home): the high living costs.

Norway was considered expensive even before the 2022-2024 cost-of-living crisis rocked Europe, and recent inflation growth has not improved things for consumers.

Norway’s inflation is expected to decrease to around 3 percent by the start of 2025, according to Statistics Norway (SSB).

While this is significantly lower than the peak of 7.5 percent recorded in October 2022, it still surpasses the central bank’s inflation target of 2 percent.

READ MORE: Cost of living: Has inflation in Norway peaked?

Therefore, everyday expenses in Norway, from paying for most services to groceries, can significantly strain retirement budgets, making it challenging for retirees to maintain their desired standard of living after moving to this Scandinavian country.

The expensive housing market – which isn’t expected to improve anytime soon – also poses challenges for retirees looking for accommodation in Norway.

Whether renting or buying, housing costs in the country’s major cities and desirable regions can be very high, forcing retirees to either downsize or relocate to less desirable – often rural – areas.

There’s a language barrier

While Norwegians are generally pretty good at English, especially in urban areas, the dominant language is, unsurprisingly, Norwegian, and it is the official communication medium in the country.

Accessing healthcare services, navigating bureaucratic procedures, and engaging in social interactions with locals will all progress less smoothly if you don’t command the local language.

Therefore, the language barrier can be a significant obstacle for retirees if they don’t speak Norwegian.

This can be particularly hard on retirees seeking meaningful connections and a sense of belonging in their new community. 

So, while English may suffice for basic communication, you may need to become proficient in the local language to integrate into Norwegian society.

The days are dark and short (in the winter)

Another challenge that retirees may face in Norway is the long, dark winters characterised by short daylight hours – especially in the northern regions.

Due to its high latitude, Norway has significantly shorter days and longer periods of darkness during the winter months than many other regions.

EXPLAINED: Can you move to Norway to retire?

This lack of sunlight can impact your mood and energy levels, particularly if you’re accustomed to more daylight throughout the year.

The combination of short days and cold temperatures during the winter months can also limit outdoor activities and recreational opportunities for retirees, so if that’s something you were looking forward to, maybe you should reconsider choosing Norway as your retirement country of choice.

Bergen 1

Bergen, in western Norway, is called Norway’s “Rain Capital”. Photo by ZHANG Shaoqi on Unsplash

It can be very cold and wet

Norway’s climate is often characterised by cold temperatures and abundant rainfall.

Adapting to Norway’s cold and wet climate can be a significant challenge for retirees from warmer climates or regions.

The country experiences long, harsh winters, particularly in the northern regions, and rainy weather is common throughout the year, especially along the coastal areas (think western and central Norway – Bergen and Trondheim are both great examples of big Norwegian cities that are very wet).

Retirees who enjoy spending time outdoors may find it challenging to pursue their favourite activities in Norway’s cold and damp climate, which can leave them feeling frustrated with their retirement experience in the country.

Norway’s climate can also impact the physical health and well-being of retirees, particularly those with pre-existing health or mobility issues.

Geographical isolation…

Isolation – of the geographical kind – can be a significant issue for retirees considering living in Norway, especially if they plan to move to its rural districts.

While the country’s remote landscapes offer stunning natural beauty, these also come with limited access to healthcare and many essential amenities.

READ MORE: The key things you need to know about purchasing property in rural Norway

In rural areas, retirees may be miles away from hospitals and pharmacies, making timely access to healthcare services difficult. This geographical isolation can also pose severe risks for those with chronic medical conditions or mobility issues.

Furthermore, rural living in Norway also often means limited access to banks, grocery stores, and public transportation.

…and dealing with immigration services and bureaucracy

Dealing with immigration services and bureaucracy is never fun, and Norway is no exception to this general rule of life.

The country’s immigration policies and somewhat complex bureaucratic processes can pose obstacles for retirees looking to obtain residency permits and navigate legal requirements in a timely manner.

In addition, retirees from outside the European Union (EU) may face stricter eligibility criteria and longer processing times when applying for residency in Norway, making the entire immigration process even more cumbersome.

The language barrier can further complicate matters, as many official documents and forms may be available only in Norwegian, so you’ll need assistance or translation services.

The bureaucratic process of retiring to Norway may also involve securing and sharing extensive documentation with the authorities, as well as proof of financial stability, including evidence of retirement savings and pension income, so it’s essential to ensure that you have all of this prepared before you initiate the relocation process.

READ ALSO: Is Norway’s immigration process easier for EEA nationals?

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