How Much Does It Cost to Live In Stavanger?
Stavanger is a city and municipality in Norway and the fourth largest city and metropolitan area in Norway. It is also the administrative center of Rogaland county.
It is a very peaceful, beautiful city with gorgeous hiking opportunities.
Generally speaking, apart from costs of accommodation, all other living costs in Norway vary only slightly across the country, so most products and services you need are priced very similarly, regardless of where you live.
As expected, the most expensive thing in Stavanger is rent. Once you have that covered, most other things are easier to manage.
Norway : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Usually, people that are not well off do not eat in fancy restaurants, since a meal in an inexpensive restaurant in Stavanger would cost you around 20$. Occasional cafeterias are an option for many and many workplaces have subsidized cafeterias where people go for lunch. If you go for a dinner at a mid-range restaurant, a meal for two will be around 100$.
MARKETS
Going shopping for food will definitely cut your expenses. Spending around 600$ a month is a reasonable range for groceries for a 2-person household, and if spent wisely could cover all your everyday food expenses. The best advice is to ask around for shops that are cheaper and then sticking to them.
TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation is quite expensive, even with their various discounts, so the easiest way to save money is to invest in a bicycle, though keep in mind that you’ll probably need to take the bus at some point anyway. A one-way ticket for a local transport will cost you around 4.50$ while a monthly pass for public transport is around 80$.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are expensive in Stavenger too, though it does depend on the amount of electricity you use and on the size of your apartment. For example, for a bit larger apartment, of about 85m2, all basic utilities like heating (very important in Norway), cooling, electricity and gas will cost you around 165$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
When it comes to fitness and sports, you should know that practicing sports or going to the gym in Stavenger is definitely expensive. A gym or a fitness club membership will cost you around 50$, while going to the cinema and enjoying some movie time has never been more expensive. Prepare to pay a whopping 15$ per ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Since since some cities are very close to the border with Sweden, a lot of people take the bus to go shopping in the neighboring country, but since Stavanger is not one of those cities, you’re bound to shop in Norway. However, if you’re set on shopping in Norway, you should get familiar with the prices right away. Quality jeans will cost you around 100$, and you won’t find any good running sneakers without cashing out close to 110$.
RENT PER MONTH
Cost of apartments varies across the country, but if you intend to rent something in the center of Stavanger, you will have to pay around 600$ for a 200–350m2 room in a shared apartment, and from 1200$ and upwards for a small apartment. A spacious apartment or a house will cost you from 1900$ and upwards.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Stavanger
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $23.37 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $9.35 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $3.08 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.96 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $3.28 |
| Eggs (12) | $4.22 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $4.09 |
| Monthly Pass | $81.78 |
| Gasoline | $1.79 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $165.05 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.09 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $57.97 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $52.10 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $26.87 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $15.19 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $94.10 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $52.11 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $52.11 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1123.61 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $881.32 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1905.75 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Stavanger?
Food is definitely the biggest expense for anyone living in Stavanger – though this is the situation in most countries around the world.
Food is an everyday necessity and when it’s not cheap, it amounts to a high monthly expense.
The second highest expense for an average person living in Stavanger is rent, with very high prices of apartment in the cities and outside of them alike.
Other significant expenses for Norwegian people are restaurants and transportation, while clothing and shoes draw the least amount of money from them.
Average Costs Breakdown
Stavanger: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
It’s widely known around the world that Norway has some of the best salaries and best working conditions in the world.
Though there is no set minimum wage in Stavanger, as they differ from sector to sector and there are often different rates to distinguish skilled from unskilled work, the usual minimum wage is around 2400$ which is a decent minimum wage and most people can earn for a normal life.
An average monthly salary in Stavanger is around 3500$ which is absolutely enough for a comfortable life in this country.
Stavanger Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Stavanger Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Stavanger
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Bergen | 102.87 |
| Oslo | 107.14 |
| Trondheim | 99.73 |
