Cost Of Living in Oslo 2025

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Oslo

Whether you're living in Oslo or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Oslo is 39,000 NOK. Expenses can range from 5,500 NOK at the minimum level to 260,000 NOK at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Oslo is 65,000 NOK. Expenditure can range from 22,000 NOK to 350,000 NOK per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Oslo is 86,000 NOK per month. Families spend anywhere from 30,000 NOK to 560,000 NOK.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Oslo is 28,000 NOK. Students spend from 4,300 NOK to 190,000 NOK per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Oslo

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Oslo is 89% This means that on average, people spend around 89% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 18% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

70%

89%

Couple
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

74%

94%

Family
93%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

82%

100%

How do people spend their money in Oslo?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Oslo typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 17,000 NOK with expenditure ranging from 1,300 NOK to 170,000 NOK. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Oslo ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,800 NOK with 220 NOK and 28,000 NOK being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 430 NOK to 56,000 NOK on commuting with 5,600 NOK being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Oslo is 14,000 NOK. The cost of groceries can range between 1,100 NOK to 140,000 NOK. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Oslo allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 300 NOK to 39,000 NOK with 3,900 NOK being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 170 NOK to 22,000 NOK with 2,200 NOK being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 3,400 NOK per month with 260 NOK being the minimum spent amount and 34,000 NOK being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Oslo every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Oslo manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 75% of the surveyed people in Oslo said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 25% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Oslo

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 14% to 36% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 23% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 23,000 NOK on average with savings ranging from 1,800 NOK to 230,000 NOK.

80% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 74% of couples said the same. 69% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Oslo?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 17% to 38% of their monthly income to savings, with 27% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 16,000 NOK with 1,800 NOK and 110,000 NOK being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 15% to 37% of their monthly income, with 25% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 27,000 NOK with 8,900 NOK and 140,000 NOK being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Oslo can save anywhere between 13% to 33% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 36,000 NOK with 13,000 NOK and 230,000 NOK being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Oslo

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Oslo. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Oslo

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Oslo

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Oslo?

Around 86% of surveyed residents think that living in Oslo is affordable with proper budgeting while 14% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Oslo

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options67%

Few low-cost options33%

Based on the survey, 67% of the people living in Oslo have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 33% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Oslo whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes84%

No17%

Based on the survey, 17% of the people living in Oslo said that they don't have an emergency fund while 84% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Norway

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy74%

We asked residents of Norway whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 26% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 74% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Norway have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 22% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 78% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance22%

Easily manages finances78%

Financial goals of people in Oslo

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Oslo, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Oslo

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Oslo and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Norway is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Oslo about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Oslo

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Oslo

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 27% of the people in Oslo have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Oslo

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 29% of the people's monthly income in Oslo goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Oslo pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Oslo

13% of debtors in Oslo confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 22% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Oslo.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Oslo

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Oslo how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Oslo

Rent Cost in Oslo

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

5,100 NOK

7,600 NOK

20,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$480

$720

$1,900

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

7,600 NOK

12,000 NOK

31,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$720

$1,200

$2,900

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

10,000 NOK

15,000 NOK

41,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$960

$1,400

$3,800

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

12,000 NOK

20,000 NOK

55,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,200

$1,900

$5,200

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

24,000 NOK

61,000 NOK

120,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,300

$5,800

$12,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

20,000 NOK

31,000 NOK

87,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,900

$2,900

$8,200

House monthly rent cost

24,000 NOK

61,000 NOK

120,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,300

$5,800

$12,000

Villa monthly rent cost

31,000 NOK

76,000 NOK

120,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,900

$7,200

$12,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Oslo ranges between 5,100 NOK and 20,000 NOK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 7,600 NOK to 31,000 NOK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 10,000 NOK and 41,000 NOK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 12,000 NOK to 55,000 NOK. The average rent of a townhouse in Oslo is around 31,000 NOK while house rental costs can be as high as 61,000 NOK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 31,000 NOK to 120,000 NOK per month.

Apartment and house prices in Oslo

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1M NOK

1.5M NOK

3.1M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$96,000

$140,000

$290,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.2M NOK

2M NOK

7.6M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$120,000

$190,000

$720,000

2-bedroom apartment price

2M NOK

6.1M NOK

12M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$190,000

$580,000

$1.2M

3-bedroom apartment price

6.8M NOK

10M NOK

31M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$640,000

$960,000

$2.9M

Townhouse price

8.7M NOK

20M NOK

76M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$820,000

$1.9M

$7.2M

House price

10M NOK

61M NOK

87M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$960,000

$5.8M

$8.2M

Villa price

12M NOK

68M NOK

100M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.2M

$6.4M

$9.6M

The average price of a studio apartment in Oslo can range from 1M NOK to 3.1M NOK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.2M NOK to 7.6M NOK. A villa can cost you 68M NOK on average with prices ranging from 12M NOK to 100M NOK.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Oslo can be x146 to x240 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x146 multiples of the average monthly salary in Oslo.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Oslo is around 36%. This means that people pay 36% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 47% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Oslo

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Oslo

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

330 NOK

2,300 NOK

16,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$31

$220

$1,500

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

860 NOK

2,900 NOK

19,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$82

$280

$1,800

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

1,500 NOK

4,300 NOK

28,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$140

$410

$2,700

Internet and cable cost

280 NOK

550 NOK

740 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$26

$52

$70

Mobile phone bill and charges

220 NOK

370 NOK

1,100 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21

$35

$100

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Oslo ranges between 330 NOK and 16,000 NOK with average being 2,300 NOK, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 2,900 NOK with 860 NOK and 19,000 NOK being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 4,300 NOK. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 280 NOK to 740 NOK with 550 NOK being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 370 NOK but can range between 220 NOK and 1,100 NOK depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Oslo is around 5.4%. This means that people pay 5.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.2% to 9.8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Oslo

Prices and cost of goods and services in Oslo

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

55 NOK

110 NOK

180 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$5.2

$10

$17

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Oslo is approximatly 110 NOK with meal cost ranging from 55 NOK to 180 NOK. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

190 NOK

290 NOK

580 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$18

$28

$55

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 190 NOK and 580 NOK with 290 NOK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Oslo.

Fine dining meal for one price

390 NOK

580 NOK

2,300 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$37

$55

$220

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 390 NOK to 2,300 NOK with the average cost being 580 NOK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Oslo.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

46 NOK

74 NOK

110 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.4

$7

$10

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Oslo is around 74 NOK. Price ranges between 46 NOK and 110 NOK depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

37 NOK

44 NOK

55 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.5

$4.2

$5.2

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Oslo is 44 NOK. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 55 NOK and the minimum being 37 NOK depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

28 NOK

37 NOK

55 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.6

$3.5

$5.2

A dozen eggs costs around 37 NOK on average with 28 NOK and 55 NOK being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

63 NOK

81 NOK

120 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$6

$7.7

$11

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Oslo is between 63 NOK and 120 NOK depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 81 NOK.

Pack of beef price

74 NOK

110 NOK

220 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$7

$10

$21

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 110 NOK. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

30 NOK

41 NOK

58 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.8

$3.9

$5.5

A bag of rice in Oslo costs around 41 NOK on average with prices rangeing between 30 NOK and 58 NOK depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

11 NOK

15 NOK

28 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1

$1.4

$2.6

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 11 NOK to 28 NOK. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

20 NOK

26 NOK

43 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.9

$2.4

$4

A bag of apples costs 26 NOK on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Oslo is around 27%. This means that people spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 34% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 6,200 NOK per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 890 NOK and 41,000 NOK depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 9,100 NOK per month. That number can be get as low as 3,000 NOK or a high as 48,000 NOK. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 5,400 NOK to 100,000 NOK with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Oslo

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Oslo

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Oslo

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Oslo