Cost Of Living in Stavanger 2025

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

Whether you're living in Stavanger 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 Stavanger is 35,000 NOK. Expenses can range from 5,000 NOK at the minimum level to 230,000 NOK at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Stavanger is 58,000 NOK. Expenditure can range from 19,000 NOK to 310,000 NOK per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Stavanger is 78,000 NOK per month. Families spend anywhere from 27,000 NOK to 500,000 NOK.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Stavanger is 25,000 NOK. Students spend from 3,900 NOK to 170,000 NOK per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Stavanger

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 Stavanger is 80% This means that on average, people spend around 80% 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
72%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

63%

80%

Couple
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

67%

84%

Family
84%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

74%

93%

How do people spend their money in Stavanger?

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

People living in Stavanger typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 15,000 NOK with expenditure ranging from 1,200 NOK to 150,000 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 Stavanger ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 2,500 NOK with 190 NOK and 25,000 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 390 NOK to 50,000 NOK on commuting with 5,000 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 Stavanger is 13,000 NOK. The cost of groceries can range between 970 NOK to 130,000 NOK. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Stavanger 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 270 NOK to 35,000 NOK with 3,500 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 160 NOK to 20,000 NOK with 2,000 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 3,000 NOK per month with 230 NOK being the minimum spent amount and 30,000 NOK being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Stavanger 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 Stavanger manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 67% of the surveyed people in Stavanger said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 33% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Stavanger

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 13% to 32% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 21,000 NOK on average with savings ranging from 1,600 NOK to 210,000 NOK.

72% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 67% of couples said the same. 62% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Stavanger?

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 16% to 34% of their monthly income to savings, with 24% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 14,000 NOK with 1,600 NOK and 96,000 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 14% to 33% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 24,000 NOK with 8,000 NOK and 130,000 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 Stavanger can save anywhere between 12% to 29% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 32,000 NOK with 11,000 NOK and 210,000 NOK being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Stavanger

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Stavanger. 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. 10% 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 Stavanger

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 Stavanger

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Stavanger?

Around 77% of surveyed residents think that living in Stavanger is affordable with proper budgeting while 23% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Stavanger

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 options61%

Few low-cost options40%

Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Stavanger have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 40% 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 Stavanger whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes75%

No25%

Based on the survey, 25% of the people living in Stavanger said that they don't have an emergency fund while 75% 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 Stavanger

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Stavanger, 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 34% 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. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% 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 Stavanger

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Stavanger 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 Stavanger about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Stavanger

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Stavanger

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 24% of the people in Stavanger have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Stavanger

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 26% of the people's monthly income in Stavanger goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Stavanger 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. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% 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 Stavanger

13% of debtors in Stavanger 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 Stavanger.

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 Stavanger

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Stavanger 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 Stavanger

Rent Cost in Stavanger

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

4,600 NOK

6,900 NOK

18,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$430

$650

$1,700

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

6,900 NOK

11,000 NOK

27,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$650

$1,000

$2,600

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

9,100 NOK

14,000 NOK

37,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$860

$1,300

$3,500

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

11,000 NOK

18,000 NOK

50,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,000

$1,700

$4,700

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

22,000 NOK

55,000 NOK

110,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,100

$5,200

$10,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

18,000 NOK

27,000 NOK

78,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,700

$2,600

$7,400

House monthly rent cost

22,000 NOK

55,000 NOK

110,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,100

$5,200

$10,000

Villa monthly rent cost

27,000 NOK

69,000 NOK

110,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2,600

$6,500

$10,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Stavanger ranges between 4,600 NOK and 18,000 NOK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 6,900 NOK to 27,000 NOK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 9,100 NOK and 37,000 NOK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 11,000 NOK to 50,000 NOK. The average rent of a townhouse in Stavanger is around 27,000 NOK while house rental costs can be as high as 55,000 NOK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 27,000 NOK to 110,000 NOK per month.

Apartment and house prices in Stavanger

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

910,000 NOK

1.4M NOK

2.7M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$86,000

$130,000

$260,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.1M NOK

1.8M NOK

6.9M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100,000

$170,000

$650,000

2-bedroom apartment price

1.8M NOK

5.5M NOK

11M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$170,000

$520,000

$1M

3-bedroom apartment price

6.1M NOK

9.1M NOK

27M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$580,000

$860,000

$2.6M

Townhouse price

7.8M NOK

18M NOK

69M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$740,000

$1.7M

$6.5M

House price

9.1M NOK

55M NOK

78M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$860,000

$5.2M

$7.4M

Villa price

11M NOK

61M NOK

91M NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1M

$5.8M

$8.6M

The average price of a studio apartment in Stavanger can range from 910,000 NOK to 2.7M NOK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.1M NOK to 6.9M NOK. A villa can cost you 61M NOK on average with prices ranging from 11M NOK to 91M NOK.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Stavanger can be x132 to x215 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x132 multiples of the average monthly salary in Stavanger.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Stavanger is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% 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 Stavanger

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

300 NOK

2,100 NOK

14,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$28

$200

$1,300

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

780 NOK

2,600 NOK

17,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$73

$250

$1,600

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

1,400 NOK

3,900 NOK

25,000 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$130

$370

$2,400

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 Stavanger ranges between 300 NOK and 14,000 NOK with average being 2,100 NOK, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 2,600 NOK with 780 NOK and 17,000 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 3,900 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 Stavanger is around 4.9%. This means that people pay 4.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 8.8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Stavanger

Prices and cost of goods and services in Stavanger

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 Stavanger 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

180 NOK

280 NOK

550 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17

$26

$52

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 180 NOK and 550 NOK with 280 NOK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Stavanger.

Fine dining meal for one price

370 NOK

550 NOK

2,200 NOK

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$35

$52

$210

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 370 NOK to 2,200 NOK with the average cost being 550 NOK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Stavanger.

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 Stavanger 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 Stavanger 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 Stavanger 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 Stavanger 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 Stavanger is around 24%. This means that people spend 24% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 30% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 5,600 NOK per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 800 NOK and 37,000 NOK depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 8,100 NOK per month. That number can be get as low as 2,700 NOK or a high as 43,000 NOK. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 4,900 NOK to 91,000 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 Stavanger

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

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

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