Norway🇳🇴

At a Glance

How Norway compares across key indices

Quality of Life199Safety67Healthcare76Affordability87Climate71Clean Air17

Cost of Living

87 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

67/100

Healthcare

76/100

Quality of Life

199/200

Climate

71/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Norway

Cost of Living

87

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

28

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

89

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

91

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $2,428 in Kristiansand to $3,421 in Oslo

City Costs Comparison

Kristiansand

Cheapest

$2,428/mo

Food$239

Bergen

$2,872/mo

Food$320

Trondheim

$2,967/mo

Food$296

Stavanger

$3,064/mo

Food$269

Oslo

$3,421/mo

Food$312

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Norway — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

67/100

Crime Index

33/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

60/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime76
Nighttime59

17 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Drug-related crime
Moderate50
Property crimes
Low38
Violent crimes
Low29
Corruption & bribery
Low26

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Low32
Being physically attacked
Low31
Being mugged or robbed
Low29
Things stolen from car
Low29
Home broken into
Low28
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low27
Car stolen
Very Low23

Based on 1,588 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Norway

Norway has 5 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,428 in Kristiansand to $3,421 in Oslo. Trondheim leads on safety, scoring 78/100. Stavanger ranks highest for quality of life at 211/200.

💸Most Affordable

Kristiansand

$2,428/mo

Safest

Trondheim

78/100

Best Quality of Life

Stavanger

211/200

Best Healthcare

Oslo

78/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Kristiansand$2,42856/100———
Bergen$2,87276/100207/20075/10019
Trondheim$2,96778/100201/20076/10020
Stavanger$3,06475/100211/20072/10020
Oslo$3,42166/100184/20078/10022

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Norway

Healthcare Index

76/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment87/100
Friendliness & Courtesy80/100
Staff Skill & Competency77/100
Accuracy & Completeness75/100
Speed of Service69/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist56/100
Cost Satisfaction79/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 380 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
67.4%
None
17.6%
Private
7.9%
Employer Sponsored
7.1%
Healthcare76Safety67Quality of Life199
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Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Norway

Pollution Index

17/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality93/100
Comfortable to Spend Time90/100
Air Quality88/100
Garbage Disposal82/100
Green Spaces & Parks79/100
Clean & Tidy75/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution31/100
Water Pollution16/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 486 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Norway

Average One-Way Commute

28minutes

Short

Traffic Index

98

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

141

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

2.7kg/trip

How People Commute

Car33.0%
Bus/Trolleybus24.7%
Walking20.7%
Bicycle11.0%
Train/Metro5.7%
Working from Home2.2%
Motorcycle1.8%
Tram/Streetcar0.9%

Based on 229 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Norway, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Norway?

Norway has a cost of living index of 87 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,428 in Kristiansand and reach $3,421 in Oslo.

What is the cheapest city in Norway for expats?

Kristiansand is the most affordable city in Norway with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,428 for a single person including rent. Bergen is the next most affordable at $2,872/mo.

Is Norway safe for expats?

Norway has a safety index of 67/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Trondheim scores highest on safety at 78/100.

What is the best city in Norway for expats and digital nomads?

Stavanger ranks highest for quality of life in Norway, scoring 211/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $3,064/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Kristiansand offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,428/mo.

How good is healthcare in Norway?

Norway scores 76/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Norway?

Norway has a pollution index of 17/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

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