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Is Norway more expensive to live in than the US or the UK?

World Bank price levels, the Big Mac index and Norway's place in Europe.

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Short answer

Overall prices in Norway are close to those in the US and the UK, according to World Bank data for 2025, though Norway is among Europe's most expensive countries. Statistics Norway ranks it sixth in Europe for 2025. In July 2026 a Big Mac cost 29 per cent more in Norway than in the US.

How much it costs to live in Norway a wallet with a few Norwegian krone coins, a receipt and a small price tag in front of a mountain silhouette

Why

  1. World Bank purchasing power parities and average exchange rates for 2025 put Norway's price level for household consumption about 4 per cent below the US and about 4 per cent above the UK.
  2. In The Economist's July 2026 data, a Big Mac cost NOK 78 in Norway (USD 8.05), USD 6.22 in the US and GBP 5.49 in Britain (USD 7.40).
  3. Within Europe, Norway is clearly expensive: Statistics Norway reports household prices 28.6 per cent above the EU average in 2025, the sixth highest level in Europe.

Details

Price levels differ a lot between product groups: food and non-alcoholic drinks cost 33.1 per cent more than the EU average in 2025, and alcohol and tobacco more than twice the average, largely because of high excise duties. Because the comparison with the US and the UK is made in dollars, a stronger or weaker krone quickly changes the result: in the World Bank data for 2024, Norway's level was about 11 per cent below the US.

Tip

Compare the costs that matter most for you, such as rent in the city you plan to move to, food and alcohol, and your expected salary after tax, rather than one national average.

What may differ

The answer depends on the city: in 2025 rent for a two-room flat in Oslo and Bærum was NOK 15,260 a month, against NOK 11,790 for Norway as a whole.

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Sources

Prices change, so check Statistics Norway (SSB) and the World Bank before you go.

How much it costs to live in Norway

  • 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.

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