Cost of living in Oslo, Norway: check below the costs related to daily expenses, real estate, entertainment and transport in Oslo
Are you planning to visit or considering to move to the Norwegian capital? Below you can check the cost of living in Oslo, Norway, one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world.
Cost of Living in Oslo, Norway
Often when Norway is a topic people immediately associate its cities with high standards of living, a good welfare system, and great career opportunities. That is exactly the case of Oslo, the capital of Norway and its biggest city.
Apart from a high quality of life, Norway is also an oil rich country. These factors and a dynamic economy help to push the attractiveness of Oslo up. The salaries in Norway are also among the highest in Europe, and its currency, the Norwegian krone, is very stable.
The cost of living in Oslo is equally high. It is in fact, one of the most expensive cities to live in Europe. That is especially the case when it comes to real estate prices. The city’s estates both to rent and purchase are comparable to other European expensive cities such as Zurich and Copenhagen.
The city has a high net migration rate, attracting expats from Norway, Europe and beyond. Despite not being a member of the European Union, Norway is a member of the European Economic Area, and EU and EEA citizens have the right to access the job market in Norway on the same terms of Norwegian citizens.
Let’s check some data for the cost of living in Oslo, Norway below:
The currency in Norway is the Norwegian krone. The conversion rate to the NOK is 1 dollar to 10.99 NOK as of April 30, 2024.
If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.
| Food | Price [EDIT] |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 2.10 USD |
| 1 loaf of bread | 3.50 USD |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 3.80 USD |
| 1 kg of chicken | 10.50 USD |
| 1 single meal cheap restaurant | 18.50 USD |
| 1 single meal high-end restaurant | 60.00 USD |
| 1 cappuccino or latte | 4.80 USD |
| 1 big pizza delivery | 17.20 USD |
| Real Estate | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month | 1,800.00 USD |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month | 190.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month | 2,100.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month | 245.00 USD |
| Price per square meter (city center) | 8,650.00 USD |
| Transport | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 single ride public transport | 4.05 USD |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 86.50 USD |
| 1 km taxi or similar transport app | 1.72 USD |
| 1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) | 2.00 USD |
| Toyota Corolla (new) basic version | 29,500.00 USD |
| Salaries | Price [EDIT] |
| Minimum Salary | 3,326.00 USD |
| Average Salary (net) | 3,800.00 USD |
| Extras | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 ticket to the movies (adult price) | 15.30 USD |
| High speed internet per month | 35.00 USD |
| 1 month gym subscription | 50.00 USD |
Cost of Living for Students in Oslo, Norway
Despite its high cost of living in general, studying in Norway might be a great idea, and in some cases, even an affordable option. One of the biggest advantage of studying in Norway is that most programs public higher education institutions have no tuition fees. The number of programs offered in English is quite vast, and they range for undergraduate to PhDs. It is obviously also possible to study in Norwegian.
The biggest problem for foreigners coming to Norway to study is finding accommodation. As mentioned above, the demand for housing in Norway is high, especially in big cities. For that reason, finding accommodation is extremely important and often difficult for students in major Norwegian cities.
Finally, there are also some scholarship opportunities available. They are not restricted to Norwegian citizens, so foreign students might benefit from them as well.
Here are some of the main higher education institutions in Oslo:
Oslo and Akershurs University College of Applied Sciences
Getting a Job in Oslo
Norway as a whole is one of the most attractive places to work in Europe. Salaries are high and working conditions are usually very good. The unemployed rate in Norway is well below the European average, and the influx of foreign workers to Oslo is constant.
Getting a job in Oslo will depend on your qualifications and language skills. While there is a good number of positions that will only require English as a working language, most jobs will also require a good command of Norwegian. EU and EEA citizens can access the job market in Norway without restrictions, while citizens from other countries require a work permit.
Here are some websites for job hunting in Oslo:
Quality of Life in Oslo
Oslo has a high quality of life. It scores especially well in terms of welfare, education, low level of pollution and career prospects. The city is also extremely well connected through its urban transport network. Getting to Oslo and out of it is equally simple, with options by train, ferry, bus, domestic and international flights.
Norway is also famous for having one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, especially considering its magnificent fjords. The city offers plenty of options for outdoor activity lovers, including water and winter sports.
The only downside of Oslo in terms of quality of life is perhaps its winter. Temperatures are often freezing from autumn to early spring, and the Norwegian winter is famous for its short days (hours of sunlight).
One can easily get around in Oslo and most big cities without speaking Norwegian. The local population usually has a very good command of English, which is the norm in Scandinavia. However, learning Norwegian is highly recommendable to integrate in the society.
If you are visiting Norway soon you may also want to check some of our other Scandinavia guides. Check the average and minimum salary in Oslo here and the cost of living in Copenhagen and Stockholm. You can also check where to stay in Stockholm and the best places to stay in Oslo.
Other Resources for Expats and Travelers
Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.
Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.
Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.