Is it cheap to live in Norway compared with salaries?
Median pay, rent and living costs side by side.
Short answer
Living in Norway is expensive, but salaries are high too: median monthly pay was NOK 55,800 in 2025, while a two-room flat cost NOK 11,790 a month on average. Pay figures are before tax. Norges Bank notes that food prices stay high even after adjusting for Norway's high income level.
Why
- Statistics Norway puts median monthly earnings at NOK 55,800 and average monthly earnings at NOK 62,070 per full-time equivalent in 2025.
- Average rent for a two-room flat was NOK 11,790 a month across Norway and NOK 15,260 in Oslo and Bærum in 2025, according to Statistics Norway's rental survey.
- OsloMet's SIFO reference budget puts monthly living costs without housing and electricity at NOK 38,538 for a family with two children and a car in 2026.
Details
Household prices in Norway were 28.6 per cent above the EU average in 2025, so a Norwegian salary buys less than the figure suggests when converted to another currency. Alcohol and tobacco are the most expensive compared with Europe, while energy is cheaper than the EU average. Income tax reduces take-home pay, so compare net pay when you weigh up an offer.
Tip
Compare job offers by net pay and local rent, not gross salary alone: in 2025 rent for a two-room flat in Oslo and Bærum was about NOK 3,500 a month above the national average.
What may differ
The picture depends on your job, household and city. Median pay is the middle value, so half of full-time equivalents earn less and half earn more.
Common misconception
Norwegian salaries are so high that prices do not matter.
What actually happens
Even after adjusting for Norway's high income level, food prices remain high compared with other countries, according to Norges Bank.
People also ask
- Is it cheap to live in Norway?
- Is Norway expensive to live in on a Norwegian salary?
Sources
- Statistics Norway: What is a normal salary in Norway?Checked at:
- Statistics Norway: Rental market surveyChecked at:
- OsloMet SIFO: Reference budget 2026Checked at:
- Statistics Norway: Norway is still among Europe's most expensive countriesChecked at:
- Norges Bank: Food prices in Norway and abroadChecked at:
Prices change, so check Statistics Norway (SSB) before you go.
Monthly budget in NorwayRelated questions
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How much does a theatre ticket cost in Oslo?
A ticket at the Norwegian Opera or Oslo Nye Teater costs between NOK 195 and NOK 995 in autumn 2026, depending on the production, seat and discount.
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What can you do for free in Tromsø?
Free things to do in Tromsø include climbing the Sherpa steps, walking around Prestvannet and visiting Telegrafbukta beach, where the northern lights can be seen on clear winter days.
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Why is food so expensive in Norway?
Food in Norway costs 33 per cent more than the EU average, partly because import tariffs protect Norwegian farming and three grocery groups dominate the market.
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Is skiing in Norway expensive?
Downhill skiing in Norway costs several hundred kroner a day: an adult day pass is NOK 540 at Skimore Oslo and from NOK 529 at Hafjell.