Cost Of Living For a Student in Oslo 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: NOK
Average monthly spending for students in Oslo
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Oslo?
Students in Oslo spend around 35,000 NOK per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 5,400 NOK or as high as 390,000 NOK. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Oslo
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 440 NOK | 660 NOK | 2,600 NOK |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 160,000 NOK | 320,000 NOK | 420,000 NOK |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 430 NOK | 640 NOK | 1,300 NOK |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 190 NOK | 1,200 NOK | 14,000 NOK |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
| 230 NOK | 380 NOK | 1,100 NOK |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 540 NOK | 680 NOK | 1,400 NOK |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
| 390 NOK | 540 NOK | 1,800 NOK |
Woman shoes
| 350 NOK | 470 NOK | 1,100 NOK |
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 350 NOK | 430 NOK | 2,300 NOK |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 6,300 NOK | 9,500 NOK | 25,000 NOK |
1-bedroom apartment
| 9,700 NOK | 16,000 NOK | 39,000 NOK |
2-bedroom apartment
| 13,000 NOK | 20,000 NOK | 53,000 NOK |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| $130,000 | $190,000 | $380,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.6M NOK | 2.7M NOK | 10M NOK |
| $150,000 | $260,000 | $970,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 2.5M NOK | 7.6M NOK | 15M NOK |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 6,500 NOK | 8,200 NOK | 11,000 NOK |
Double Bed
| 4,500 NOK | 6,700 NOK | 8,400 NOK |
Single Bed
| 4,000 NOK | 5,300 NOK | 6,900 NOK |
Living Room
| 7,800 NOK | 10,000 NOK | 35,000 NOK |
Dining Table
| 3,300 NOK | 4,400 NOK | 8,200 NOK |
Sofa or Couch
| 4,500 NOK | 6,100 NOK | 13,000 NOK |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 4,500 NOK | 6,700 NOK | 13,000 NOK |
Fridge or Freezer
| 4,100 NOK | 6,300 NOK | 8,600 NOK |
Washing Machine
| 4,900 NOK | 7,100 NOK | 13,000 NOK |
Stove or Cooker
| 4,700 NOK | 6,000 NOK | 8,200 NOK |
Mobile Phone
| 5,600 NOK | 6,700 NOK | 9,600 NOK |
Laptop or Computer
| 6,300 NOK | 7,700 NOK | 14,000 NOK |
Financial Literacy in
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 student guardians and parents in Oslo 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 students of 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%
How do students spend their money in Oslo?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $120 1,300 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $790 8,300 NOK |
| HIGH | $8,800 93,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
Students in Oslo typically spend from 16% to 27% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 8,300 NOK with expenditure ranging from 1,300 NOK to 93,000 NOK. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $18 190 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $120 1,200 NOK |
| HIGH | $1,300 14,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Oslo ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 1,200 NOK with 190 NOK and 14,000 NOK being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $34 360 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $220 2,300 NOK |
| HIGH | $2,400 26,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 360 NOK to 26,000 NOK in a month on commuting with 2,300 NOK being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $95 1,000 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $610 6,500 NOK |
| HIGH | $6,800 72,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Oslo is 6,500 NOK. The cost of groceries can range between 1,000 NOK to 72,000 NOK. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $25 270 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $160 1,700 NOK |
| HIGH | $1,800 19,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
Students in Oslo allocate 5% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 270 NOK to 19,000 NOK with 1,700 NOK being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $24 250 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $150 1,600 NOK |
| HIGH | $1,700 18,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 250 NOK to 18,000 NOK with 1,600 NOK being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $90 950 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $580 6,100 NOK |
| HIGH | $6,500 68,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 6,100 NOK per month with 950 NOK being the minimum spent amount and 68,000 NOK being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $75 790 NOK |
| AVERAGE | $480 5,100 NOK |
| HIGH | $5,300 57,000 NOK |
| Per Month |
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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes77%
No23%
Based on the survey, 23% of the students living in Oslo said that they don't have an emergency fund while 77% said that they do.
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options62%
Few low-cost options38%
Based on the survey, 62% of the students living in Oslo have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 38% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Affordable living in Oslo
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Oslo?
Around 79% of surveyed students think that living in Oslo is affordable with proper budgeting while 21% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Oslo
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Oslo
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 6,300 NOK | 9,500 NOK | 25,000 NOK |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 9,700 NOK | 16,000 NOK | 39,000 NOK |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 13,000 NOK | 20,000 NOK | 53,000 NOK |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 16,000 NOK | 27,000 NOK | 74,000 NOK |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 31,000 NOK | 78,000 NOK | 160,000 NOK |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 25,000 NOK | 38,000 NOK | 110,000 NOK |
House monthly rent cost
| 31,000 NOK | 78,000 NOK | 160,000 NOK |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 38,000 NOK | 95,000 NOK | 150,000 NOK |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Oslo ranges between 6,300 NOK and 25,000 NOK, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 9,700 NOK to 39,000 NOK. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 13,000 NOK and 53,000 NOK per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 16,000 NOK to 74,000 NOK. The average rent of a townhouse in Oslo is around 38,000 NOK while house rental costs can be as high as 78,000 NOK per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 38,000 NOK to 150,000 NOK per month.
Apartment and house prices in Oslo
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| $130,000 | $190,000 | $380,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 1.6M NOK | 2.7M NOK | 10M NOK |
| $150,000 | $260,000 | $970,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 2.5M NOK | 7.6M NOK | 15M NOK |
3-bedroom apartment price
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
The average price of a studio apartment in Oslo can range from 1.3M NOK to 4M NOK depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.6M NOK to 10M NOK. A villa can cost you 91M NOK on average with prices ranging from 16M NOK to 140M NOK.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Oslo will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 61 | x183 monthly income | 300 |
Property prices in Oslo can be x183 to x300 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x183 multiples of the average monthly salary in Oslo.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Oslo is around 40%. This means that people pay 40% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 28% to 52% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
31% 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.
| 110 NOK | 1,100 NOK | 16,000 NOK |
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
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Oslo
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 190 NOK | 1,200 NOK | 14,000 NOK |
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 230 NOK | 380 NOK | 1,100 NOK |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 1,200 NOK. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 350 NOK to 920 NOK with 690 NOK being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 380 NOK but can range between 230 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
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Oslo is around 5.9%. This means that people pay 5.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Oslo
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
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
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 130 NOK with meal cost ranging from 66 NOK to 220 NOK. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 230 NOK and 690 NOK with 340 NOK being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Oslo.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 440 NOK | 660 NOK | 2,600 NOK |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 440 NOK to 2,600 NOK with the average cost being 660 NOK for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Oslo.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Oslo is around 90 NOK. Price ranges between 57 NOK and 140 NOK depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Oslo is 55 NOK. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 69 NOK and the minimum being 46 NOK depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 44 NOK on average with 33 NOK and 66 NOK being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Oslo is between 79 NOK and 140 NOK depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 100 NOK.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 140 NOK. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Oslo costs around 48 NOK on average with prices rangeing between 35 NOK and 67 NOK depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 13 NOK to 33 NOK. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 31 NOK on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 1,000 NOK to 72,000 NOK with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Published: October 20, 2024 Last Update: May 23, 2025
