💻 How much does a month-long workation cost: Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø — three budgets

Below is a clear ‘monthly estimate’ for three cities: the capital, the ‘city of seven hills’ and the Arctic capital. We have broken down the expenses into five categories (accommodation, transport, communications, co-working, food) and provided three scenarios: economy, average, comfort. The figures are based on official rates (travel/communications), recent rental benchmarks and real-life remote working practices. Plus, we've included the biggest hits to your wallet and how the season affects your budget. For housing, we've used city averages and added a surcharge for furniture/short-term rentals; for transport, we've used 30-day tickets; for communications, we've included a backup eSIM.

📊 How much does a month cost in Oslo/Bergen/Tromsø?

Guidelines for 1 person, NOK/month: housing (furnished, monthly), 30-day travel pass, communications (backup eSIM 10 GB), coworking (drop-ins/package), food (home + occasional cafes). Rates and sources are noted in the comments.

💸 Oslo (zone 1)

• Economy (~22–23 thousand)
• Accommodation 16,000 • Transport 985 (Ruter) • Communications 200 (10 GB, reserve) • Coworking 400 (≈4 drop-ins at 99) • Food 4,500.
• Average (~30,000)
• Accommodation 21,000 • Transport 985 • Communications 320 (10 GB, Telia/Telenor) • Coworking 1,600 (≈8 drop-ins with breakfast) • Food 6,000.
• Comfort (~£43–45,000)
• Accommodation £28,000 • Transport £985 • Communications £320 • Coworking £5,090 (Regus Sentrum, fixed desk) • Food £9,000.

Why these figures: the average rent for a two-room apartment according to an SSB survey is 14,400 (market contracts), short-term/furnished rentals are usually more expensive; in 2025, the rental market in large cities was on the rise.

🌄 Bergen (Skyss zone A)

• Economy (~18–19 thousand)
• Accommodation 12,000 • Transport 1,032 (30 days, zone 1) • Communications 200 • Coworking 400 • Food 4,500.
• Average (~24,000)
• Accommodation 15,000 • Transport 1,032 • Communications 320 • Coworking 1,600 • Food 6,000.
• Comfort (~32–33,000)
• Accommodation 20,000 • Transport 1,032 • Communications 320 • Coworking 1,790 (membership/day pass) • Food 9,000.

Why these figures: average two-room apartment — 10,660 according to SSB; demand/prices rise in summer (high season in the city is summer).

❄️ Tromsø (Svipper urban area)

• Economy (~18,000)
• Housing 12,000 • Transport 630 (30-day city pass) • Communications 200 • Coworking 400 • Food 4,500.
• Average (~23,500)
• Housing 15,000 • Transport 630 • Communications 320 • Coworking 1,600 • Food 6,000.
• Comfort (~33,000)
• Housing 20,000 • Transport 630 • Communications 320 • Coworking ~3,200 (Flow ≈ €279/month) • Food 9,000.

Why these figures: the city is consistently expensive due to demand; municipal and media sources note an increase in rental rates in recent years.

Notes on sources:

• Travel passes: Ruter zone 1 — 985, Skyss 30-day pass for zone 1 — 1,032 (from 01.02.2025), Svipper ‘Tromsø 30 days’ — 630 (from 01.02.2025).
• Coworking spaces: Scandic coworking — 99/199 NOK per day; Regus — from 1,790/month, in central Oslo from 5,090; Flow Tromsø ≈ €279/month
• Food: based on the SIFO budget for 2025 (home-cooked meals, no alcohol); our figures are practical ‘economy/average/comfort’ levels based on this benchmark.
• Backup eSIM/data: Telenor 10 GB from ~199–299; Telia 10 GB — ~319.

📌 What are the biggest expenses and where can you save money?

1) Housing — up to 60–70% of your monthly budget. Tips for saving:

• choose areas in the same tariff zones, but not ‘inside the tourist ring’;
• take a monthly plan with clear terms (internet/electricity included in the contract).

Average rates are shown in the SSB tables; in large cities in 2025, there will be upward pressure.

2) Coworking — a hybrid of ‘home + drop-in’. For calls, 4–8 daily visits per month are enough (99–199 NOK/day at Scandic), and meetings are available on request. A fixed desk in the city centre is significantly more expensive.

3) Transport — a monthly pass is almost always cheaper (Ruter 985; Skyss 1,032; Svipper 630).

4) Communications — wired internet is often already included in the rent, and 10–20 GB of mobile data is reasonably priced (199–319). Keep your eSIM handy.

5) Food — there is a wide range of prices. It is easier to plan your basic budget using the SIFO calculator and treat trips to cafes as an ‘extra’.

⏳ How do summer and winter budgets differ?

• Seasonality of accommodation. In the ‘city of seven hills’ and the capital, summer is peak season (higher demand and prices), while in the Arctic capital, winter is peak season due to the northern lights and winter activities. Add +10–25% to accommodation costs during the high season in the city in question.
• Transport/co-working — prices are stable all year round (tariff grids without ‘seasonal surcharges’). Check the current prices on the operators' websites.
• Utilities/heating. Electricity is sometimes included in monthly rent, but if it is charged separately, the bill will be higher in winter. Specify in the contract what is included (internet, heating, water). (See standard practices — Forbrukerrådet/Husleieloven templates in the related material.)

For a peaceful workation, expect to pay 18–23 thousand NOK/month for ‘economy’, 24–30 thousand for “average” and 32–45 thousand for ‘comfort’ — depending on the city and season. Key factors: accommodation (choice of location and format), flexible coworking (drop-ins instead of a full month), a 30-day travel pass and careful meal planning (SIFO is the best guide for a base). With these settings, weekdays will remain productive, and evenings will be free for parks, embankments, and hikes.