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How much does it cost to live in Norway’s biggest cities? 

Norway is expensive, but the cost of being a resident can vary depending on where you choose to live. Here’s how much it’ll cost to call any of Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger or Trondheim home. 

Published: 20 December 2022 13:37 CET
Pictured is Bryggen in Bergen.
Here's what it costs to live in Norway's biggest cities. Pictured is Bryggen in Bergen.Photo by Andrei Ionov on Unsplash

Norway’s four largest cities possess unique qualities that make them attractive to international residents. 

Whether it’s the stunning architecture in Trondheim, the hustle and bustle of Oslo, the high wages and laid-back lifestyle on offer in Stavanger or the stunning scenery surrounding Bergen, there is something for everyone. 

Despite Norway’s reputation (that it fully lives up to) for being one of the most expensive places in Europe to live, the cost of living can vary significantly between the big cities. 

Below we’ll look at the key differences between the main cities in Norway when it comes to the cost of living. 

Rent

Perhaps the most important, and probably the biggest, of all living costs is keeping a roof over your head. 

Unfortunately, Norway’s biggest cities also translates to Norway’s highest rent prices. However, it isn’t all bad as there are differences between the cities, with some being considerably cheaper than others.

It will come as no surprise that the capital, Oslo, is the most expensive place to rent in Norway. On average, a one-room apartment in Oslo costs 11,401 kroner a month, according to figures from the Utleiemegleren rental agency. A two-room apartment costs an average of 14,419 kroner, while a three-room apartment costs around 18,434 kroner. 

Bergen, in this regard, is considerably cheaper than Oslo and has the lowest renting costs overall. There, the average price of a one-room place was 9,050 kroner. A two-room property set back tenants 11,842 kroner, while those looking for more space paid 13,818 kroner for a three-room place. 

The agency didn’t have any recent figures for one-room apartments in Trondheim or Stavanger. But, in Trondheim, the average rent on a two-room place was 12,740 kroner, while you’d have to pay 16,859 kroner for three rooms. 

Stavanger is cheaper than Trondheim in that regard. A two-room apartment costs a similar amount (12,646 kroner), but a three-room was significantly more affordable at 14,570 kroner per month. 

Utilities 

Like rent, energy prices can differ significantly in Norway on a regional level. The country is split into five different energy zones. Oslo, which is located in zone one, saw an average energy price of 140 øre per kilowatt hour. Prices in Stavanger and Bergen were identical, as zone five saw an average price of 140 ore per kilowatt hour in November. 

Meanwhile, in November, Trondheim had the cheapest energy prices in Norway at 79.72 øre per kilowatt hour. However, since November, prices have risen sharply in central Norway and have been more in line with the rest of Norway. 

When using a comparison site for quotes, Trondheim is still significantly cheaper, though. Quotes for an energy deal range between 1,500 kroner a month for a large house with an annual consumption of 16,000 kilowatt hours and 373 kroner a month for a small apartment with a yearly consumption of 4,000 kilowatt hours. 

Quotes in Stavanger ranged from between 669 kroner a month for a small apartment to 2,675 kroner for a big home. Keeping a large home warm with the lights on in Bergen or Oslo costs as near as makes no difference to Stavanger. 

However, over time this may change, and the other three cities may see more significant price differences. 

Transport

Depending on whether you have a car or not or how close you live to work will depend on how often you will need to use the public transport networks in Norway’s biggest cities to get around. 

This will, of course, impact how much you fork out on transport to get around. The good thing is that when you do need public transportation to get around, all four cities have reliable networks. 

Public transportation in Trondheim is the most expensive at 890 kroner for a monthly ticket. Single tickets are also more expensive than in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. Oslo is the second most expensive. Here, the cost of a monthly ticket is 814 kroner. Stavanger’s monthly ticket is considerably cheaper at 600 kroner per month, while a monthly ticket in Bergen costs 755 kroner. 

Childcare

About 90 percent of kids in Norway attend a kindergarten or preschool. The maximum price for a place in Norway is capped at 3,050 kroner a month, 

But due to additional fees and costs, the actual monthly cost can vary across the country. In Bergen, the average cost of childcare is 3,170 kroner per child, according to the national data agency Statistics Norway. Prices in Trondheim were incredibly similar, coming in at around 3,167 kroner. 

Kindergarten in Stavanger was cheaper than Bergen and Trondheim coming in at 3,042 kroner a month. In Oslo, the average cost of childcare is 3,082 

Food: 3,690 kroner 

Consumption Research Norway (SIFO) estimates that the average cost of food for someone aged between 31- 50 is up to 3,690 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. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t a city that stands out as the cheapest to buy food in. Instead, a lot will depend on your own shopping habits. 

Quick breakdown

Using the costs above, we’ve prepared a quick breakdown of what it will cost to live in each city when renting a small two-room apartment, paying for a kindergarten place and using the provided figures as a food budget. 

Oslo: 22,944 kroner per month 

Bergen: 20,426 kroner per month 

Trondheim: 20,860 kroner per month 

Stavanger: 20,919 kroner per month 

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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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