Cost of Living & Helpful Facts about Life in Norway

Jump right in:

• Pros & cons of living in Norway
• Practical Information
• Cost of Living
• Culture and Social Etiquette
• Driving in Norway
• Public Transportation in Norway

Norway has a lot to offer, from excellent healthcare and free education to stunning natural landscapes. But it also comes with challenges like expensive groceries and long, dark winter nights that can take some getting used to.

Pros:

• Your workday ends at 16:00 and nobody emails you at 21:00 expecting a response.
• You’ll get five weeks of paid vacation per year (yes, really), plus all those public holidays.
• Kids go outside in all types of weather because there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
• Parental leave is genuinely shared — dads taking months off with their babies is completely normal, not remarkable.

Cons:

• Winter darkness hits differently by December. The sun might show up around 10:00 and peace out by 15:00.
• Finding an apartment feels impossible. You’re competing with hundreds of applicants, and landlords often want to meet you multiple times before deciding.
• Almost everything closes by 18:00 on weekdays and even earlier on Saturdays. Late-night shopping doesn’t exist here.

When you’re settling into Norway, it’s helpful to know some useful information about your new home such as where your country’s embassy is, where your nearest airport is located, and how to contact police or ambulance services. You’ll find all this information and more in this section.

Emergency numbers

The following numbers are accessible via landline or mobile phone and can be reached free of charge:

• Fire emergency — 110
• Sea help — 120
• Police — 112
• Ambulance — 113
• Mental health helpline — 116 123

Keep these numbers handy, save them on your phone, and write them down somewhere visible at home.

Public holidays

These are the country’s public holidays:

Main embassies

The country’s capital, Oslo, is home to 70 embassies from countries around the world. The largest immigrant communities in Norway come from Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Syria, and Sweden. Here’s where you can find your embassy if you’re from one of these countries:

Embassy of Poland — Olav Kyrres Plass 1, 0273 Oslo

Embassy of Lithuania — 0244, Dronningens gate 3, 0152 Oslo

Embassy of Sweden — Inkognitogata 27, 0256 Oslo

Embassy of Ukraine — Arbins gate 4, Oslo

All other countries can refer to this directory of embassies in Norway.

Main airports

Airport staff in Norway are straightforward and very helpful. They get to the point and know what they’re doing, which makes things move quickly.

These are the country’s busiest airports:

• Oslo Airport (OSL)
• Bergen Airport (BGO)
• Trondheim Airport (TRD)
• Stavanger Airport (SVG)
• Tromsø Airport (TOS)
• Sandefjord Airport Torp (TRF)
• Bodø Airport (BOO)
• Ålesund Airport (AES)
• Kristiansand Airport (KRS)
• Haugesund Airport (HAU)

When people consider moving to Norway, one of the first questions is always about the cost. Yes, Norway is expensive as compared to the rest of the world. However, higher salaries offset these prices. The average cost of living in Norway will depend on the lifestyle you lead and where in the country you choose to settle. Generally, you can expect to spend between 20,000 to 40,000 NOK (approx. 2,028–4,056 USD) per month living in this Nordic country.

The cost of living in Norway’s major cities

The most expensive cities in Norway are Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger, and Tromsø.

For a single person, expect to spend around 13,000–15,000 NOK (approx. 1,330–1,550 USD) per month (without rent). If you’re moving with a family of four, that jumps to 47,000–52,000 NOK (approx. 4,800–5,300 USD) monthly (without rent).

The most affordable cities in Norway are Sarpsborg, Drammen, Skien, and towns in Hedmark, Telemark, Oppland, and rural Østfold.

What makes Norway expensive?

Rent prices

Rent will likely be your biggest expense, and it really depends on what kind of place you’re looking for. You’ll find everything from shared apartments to your own private space.

Below are the average monthly rent prices in the main cities in Norway.

The average rent across the entire country is 9,880 NOK (approx. 920 USD). Keep in mind that when renting in this country, you’ll be required to put down a large security deposit of at least 3 months’ rent. This often comes as a shock to many expats, and it’s something you’ll need to budget for in the beginning.

Norway’s grocery prices

Let’s talk about groceries. Food can be pricey since much of it is imported. A liter of milk costs around 20–25 NOK (1.80–2.30 USD); a dozen eggs run 40–45 NOK (3.60–4.10 USD), and beef is particularly expensive at 280–320 NOK (25–29 USD) per kilo. Overall, expect your monthly grocery bill to land somewhere between 3,000–5,000 NOK (approx. 300–500 USD).

Eating out in Norway

Eating out in Norway can be quite costly. The service industry tends to be pricey in this country because the wait staff is paid high wages in comparison to other countries. For this reason, Norwegians don’t make a habit of eating out as much as other European countries might.

Even a simple meal for two at a casual restaurant usually costs around 200–250 NOK (18–23 USD), while a nicer three-course dinner can easily reach 900–1,100 NOK (80–100 USD). If you’re hoping to save money with fast food, expect to pay about 120–140 NOK (11–13 USD) per meal, which is still more expensive than in many other countries. Tipping for great service is appreciated but not mandatory.

Utility costs

Basic utilities including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and waste services for an 85-square-meter apartment in Norway cost in the range of 1,300–1,550 NOK (approx.135–160 USD) per month.

Internet from top providers like Telenor and Altibox with unlimited data costs around 599–649 NOK (approx. 60–65 USD). Mobile prepaid plans come in a wide range of tariffs depending on how much internet is required. LYCA offers prepaid "Smart" bundles with options like 60GB for 225–300 NOK or 10GB for 199 NOK, including international minutes.

Entertainment & leisure cost

Entertainment costs in Norway can add up quickly. Cinema tickets cost around 150–180 NOK (approx. 14–16 USD). Must-do experiences like fjord cruises run about 600 NOK (approx. 55 USD) and Northern Lights tours range from 1,500–2,000 NOK (approx. 135–180 USD).

The good news? Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify are reasonably priced at 89–139 NOK (approx. 8–13 USD) per month.

Healthcare costs

Norway has a strong reputation for healthcare, consistently ranking among the top 5 countries in the World Health Index. Norway’s public healthcare is free for people 16 and younger, and for pregnant and/or nursing women. Everybody else pays an annual deductible of 3,278 NOK (approx. 335 USD). After paying this, you receive an exemption card (frikort) which entitles you to free health care for the rest of the year.

While most people use the public system, private healthcare is available for those who want faster appointments or more personalized care. Private health insurance costs vary depending on your coverage level, age, health, and which provider you choose. Read our full guide about healthcare & insurance in Norway.

Cost of education

Studying at public universities used to be free for all students before June 2023. Under the new rule, students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually need to pay tuition fees at Norwegian universities, and the cost varies by institution and program. Apart from tuition fees, there's also a semester fee ranging between 400–700 NOK (approx. 40–70 USD). This fee covers things like your student card, student union membership, etc.

On the other hand, private and international schools always had tuition fees associated with them that vary by school. Read our guide on international schools in Norway.

If you have young children and need to place them in preschool, daycare, or kindergarten (known as barnehage in Norway), there are fees associated with these facilities as well. Yet the government does an excellent job of subsidizing a great portion of the costs. There is also a cap to the fee which cannot be passed by any barnehage. This fee was capped at 2,073 NOK (approx. 212 USD) monthly. The cap is subject to change yearly. This amount also does not include food costs, which can amount to an additional 200–800 NOK (approx. 20–80 USD) extra per month.

Travel & transport costs

Norway’s public transport system makes it simple to travel across the country and within major cities such as Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, thanks to well-organized bus, tram, and metro networks. A single city ticket costs around 38–55 NOK (approx. 3.50–7 USD) and is valid for 60 minutes, whereas a monthly pass costs about 780–985 NOK (approx. 80–100 USD).

Norway has a well-connected road network and offers some of the most scenic drives in the world. However, owning a car can be expensive due to high insurance costs and fuel prices, which are around 20.9 NOK (approx. 2.15 USD) per liter. Taxi fares also vary by city, usually ranging from 17–22 NOK (approx. 1.70–2.20 USD) per kilometer, making public transport a more affordable option for many people.

Norwegians are very proud of their country. They genuinely want people visiting to have a great experience and will certainly try and help and support guests and expats where possible. Norway is an extremely open, accepting, kind, tolerant, and welcoming nation, so expats from all over the world should feel at home here.

Societal values

Norway’s culture is egalitarian, meaning they value humility, respect, simplicity, and equality. They don’t talk down or criticize other people, countries, or systems. Peace and progress are mottos in this country. Norwegians don’t tend to brag about their achievements, money, or possessions, and they're not impressed when others do. Job titles don’t matter much here either.

People value honesty, reliability, and being genuinely good people. Volunteering and helping the community are also highly respected. Children are also taught to be independent and self-sufficient at a young age. They are encouraged to provide for themselves as early as possible.

Introductions

When meeting or being introduced to someone new, Norwegians shake hands (both men and women). They also shake hands when leaving and saying goodbye. When meeting someone for the first time, it’s polite to refer to them by using both their first and last name (e.g. Mr. John Doe). Skip the “Nice to meet you” and “How are you” as Norwegians are not big on small talk. They find these sorts of surface statements to be unnecessary with no real meaning or sincerity.

Public behavior

Norwegians are generally reserved in public, so keep conversations quiet and avoid loud displays. When using public transport, enjoy the silence and if you need to have a call, make sure to keep it down. However, weekends are a different story. Between 21:00 and 04:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, the reserved nature disappears when people are out drinking, and everyone becomes surprisingly outgoing and chatty. Avoiding physical contact with strangers is also common.

Dinner parties

Norwegians value punctuality, so it’s best to arrive on time if you’re invited for dinner. Bringing a small gift for your host is appreciated, and you can expect a relaxed evening with a three-course meal and good conversation. Ideally wait for the host to start eating, use proper table manners, and finish what’s on your plate. Leaving right after the meal can come across as rude, so stay a bit longer. Before leaving, invite your hosts over in return, but only if you genuinely mean it.

Toasts

If you’re making a toast, look the person in the eyes and give a gentle nod as a sign of respect and say “Skål” before setting your glass down. In more formal settings, the guest of honor will tap their glass with a knife and give a toast thanking the host/hostess on behalf of all the dinner party guests. Toasts may be accompanied by a small joke or story.

Gifts

Gifts to a host or hostess can be flowers, a plant, pastries, liquor, chocolates, or wine. If bringing flowers, do not bring an even number of flowers as this is considered disrespectful in ancient tradition. Do not gift white flowers such as lilies, carnations, or wreaths. These types of flowers are only given during funerals. Do not talk about work or business during a social gathering. Norwegians separate work and play.

Night out

Norwegians don’t make it a habit to drink during the week. They usually wait to do so on Fridays and Saturdays. Once the weekend rolls around, your new Norwegian friends and colleagues may invite you out for a drink as early as 17:00 or 18:00. Don’t be surprised by this. This is because bars and clubs close at 02:00. Be aware that drinks are also expensive at bars.

So don’t take it personally when people order a drink only for themselves and not for you. This is because independence is such a big part of the culture here and it’s at the core of friendships in this country. It’s also their way of being polite so you don’t feel like you owe them anything.

Clothing

Unlike how the social custom can be at times, the dress code in this country is actually quite casual. Since the weather in the Nordic country can be a bit harsh, it’s not uncommon for people to layer their articles of clothing. Day-to-day, they will dress rather sporty and ready for the outdoors. However, they do like to dress up for an evening out or a fancy dinner with friends.

Food

Every Friday night, you’ll find many Norwegian families devouring some tacos. That’s right — the dish, adapted to Norwegian tastes, has become surprisingly popular in the Nordic country. Surveys consistently rank it as the most common Friday dinner. You’ll find a taco section in every grocery store in Norway.

Sundays

Sundays are reserved for going outside and spending time with family. It’s common for Norwegians to plan a picnic and have lunch on top of a mountain.

Other things to know

• Don’t confuse Norwegians with Swedes or Danes.
• The outdoors and nature is a large part of the culture and way of life in Norway. Norwegians enjoy sailing among other outdoor activities. For example, many kids in Norway learn to ski before they can even walk.
• You may find that people in the south of Norway are more outgoing, while those in the north are more reserved. Some “unwritten” social rules include not staring or striking up conversations with strangers and respecting boundaries and personal space. But no matter where you go in Norway, you’ll discover that people are always helpful.

Driving in Norway is possible with a foreign license but certain rules and limitations apply. The legal driving age is 18.

Driving in Norway with a UK/US/European license

If you’re wondering if you can use your current driving license in Norway, you may be able to! It just depends on the country you come from. If you’re the holder of a valid EU/EEA license, you can drive in Norway.

If you come from one of the following countries and become a resident of Norway, you must exchange your foreign driver’s license:

• Australia
• Canada
• Denmark
• Israel
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• South Korea
• United Kingdom
• USA

If you come from any other country, you’re not eligible to exchange your license. You must take compulsory training at a driving school, and pass both the theory and practical driving test to receive your Norwegian driver’s license.

If your driving license was issued outside the EU/EEA, you can usually use it in Norway for up to three months, whether you are visiting or living there.

However, if you have a residence permit and a job contract lasting more than three months, you may use your license for up to six months, if you carry both documents while driving.

Renting a car

Driving a rental car in Norway requires you to be at least 21 years old. You must also have had your driver’s license for at least twelve months. If your license has no photo or is written in a language that does not use the Latin alphabet, you will require an international driving permit.

The average cost of a rental car in Norway is 3,341 NOK (approx. 360 USD) per week or 479 NOK (approx. 50 USD) daily. Of course, this also depends on the type of car you rent and which service provider you choose. Here are a few car rental providers:

• Sixt
• Europcar
• Kayak
• Getaround

Cost of public transport in Norway

Public transport in Norway is affordable for budget travelers, and many locals also prefer cycling. You can save money by booking tickets in advance, especially online, which is often the easiest option.

Airfare between most Norwegian cities is less than 1,000 NOK (approx. 110 USD). Likewise, train tickets across the country also range between 300–1,200 NOK (approx. 35–120 USD), depending on how far you travel.