This is the twelfth of a series which takes a look at the cultural differences you may experience when living in Norway.
The cost of living in Stavanger is always a topic that comes up frequently on the minds of expatriates and in forums. This article aims to give you a brief overview of the costs of everything here in Norway.
Latest Overall Cost of Living Index Rank (July 2010) (according to Xpatulator)
1. Japan, Tokyo
2. China, Hong Kong
3. Switzerland, Geneva
4. Brazil, Brasilia
5. Norway, Oslo
6. Switzerland, Zurich
7. Denmark, Copenhagen
8. Liechtenstein, Vaduz
9. Russia, Moscow
10. France, Paris
Oslo has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index comprises the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Oslo is currently ranked 5th overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations. (As for Stavanger, the standard of living is more or less on par with Oslo although some things are more expensive in Stavanger) The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol and Tobacco 
Costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 3 out of 282.
Beer can cost 26NOK in the supermarkets but anywhere from 60 to 112NOK in the pubs.
Wine is not available in the supermarkets. It is available in Vinmonopolet. One bottle of wine can cost from 70NOK to 500NOK.
A pack of cigarettes (20) costs 70 to 90NOK.
A box of Snuz, a moist powder tobacco product consumed by placing it under the lip for extended periods of time, costs around 60NOK.
Clothing
Costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 81 out of 282.
Clothes can range from being pretty cheap : 149NOK for a top (however it’s far from being fantastic quality) to over 2000 NOK for an evening dress.
Shoes range from 199NOK to 3000NOK. And don’t expect a wide range of variety here.
Communication costs
For various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 16 out of 282.
Mobile charges (based on a pre-paid card)
Call – 0.39 to 0.69NOK per minute
SMS – 0.29 to 0.39NOK
MMS – 0.89 to 1.89 NOK
Subscriptions generally give you better deals than the above.
Internet – costs from 200 to 600 NOK a month (don’t forget you may need to pay start-up and connection costs too)
Education costs
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 91 out of 282.
Pre-school fees : 23000 to 26000 NOK per annum (full time)
Primary and secondary school – Free
Tuition fees for university are not very expensive. The costs come from having to pay living expenses. Many university students work part-time to supplement their income.
Furniture and Appliance
Costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 31 out of 282.
DVD player (BluRay) – 995NOK to 3995NOK
Microwave – 299NOK to 1000NOK
Laptops – 2495 – 18990NOK
Digital cameras – 599 to 7995 NOK
DSLR cameras – 2695(Olympus E 450) to 56 895 (Nikon D3x)
Surround sound system – 1190 to 4000 NOK
Washing machines – 3995 to 11 995 NOK
Check out prices of different electronics equipment here.
Grocery costs
For food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil and vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices and herbs is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 9 out of 282.
1.5L of milk: 20 NOK
1.5L of apple juice: 12 to 18 NOK
A loaf of bread: 16 to 30 NOK
4 bananas: 12 NOK
12 eggs: 30 NOK
1.5L bottle of Coke: 18 NOK
A bag of potato chips: 18 to 30 NOK
Pre-prepared meals (1 portion) – 45 to 89 NOK
Healthcare costs
For general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 52 out of 282.
Medication – generally costs slightly more than the USA or the UK but the thing is, you are unable to get a wide variety of medication here.
General healthcare – it costs around 120 to 130 NOK to see your general practitioner. He will then write you a prescription should you need medication and you’ll have to buy that from the pharmacy yourself. However, if you are a member of the Norwegian Social Insurance Scheme, you will have free healthcare if you have spent more than a certain amount in the calendar year.
Pregnancy and delivery – consultations for a normal pregnancy and delivery care are free.
Household costs
For housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 70 out of 282.
Apartment rental (70 to 89 m2) – 9 000 to 15 000 NOK a month
Apartment rental (90 to 129 m2) – 9 500 to 28 000 NOK a month
Electricity (apt of 70 – 90 m2, family of 3) – 500 NOK a month (in the summer) to 2500 NOK a month (in the winter)
Miscellaneous costs
Costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 3 out of 282.
Newspapers – Stavanger Aftenblad: 27 NOK
Magazines – anywhere from 27 NOK to 99 NOK (and you can get UK and US editions of magazines here so you won’t be without your monthly magazine fix)
Animals – food and equipment for your pets are very much more expensive here.
Personal Care
Costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 137 out of 282.
Cosmetics: Generally more expensive.
Shampoo and conditioner: From 14.50 NOK (when they go on sale) to 40 NOK per bottle
Hairdresser : 400 NOK and above (haircut for ladies), 200 NOK and above (haircut for men). Ladies, expect to spend more than 1000 NOK if you wish to get the whole works : wash, cut, colour, etc.
Recreation and Culture
Costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 17 out of 282.
Books: Anywhere from 99NOK to over 500NOK
Cinema ticket: 100 NOK for one (Yes, you read right!)
DVDs: 99NOK to 200NOK for one
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel
Costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 9 out of 282.
MacDonald’s value meal, medium: 80NOK
Takeaway Chinese food: 70 NOK to 150NOK
Dinner at a nice restaurant: Anywhere from 250NOK to 1000NOK (And I’m talking about per person.)
Transport costs
Costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 1 out of 282.
Bus, for children: 13 NOK
Bus, zone 1: 25NOK
Bus pass for 30 days: 500 NOK
Petrol: 12.40 to 13 NOK per litre
Diesel: 11.40 to 12 NOK per litre
Taxis : 120NOK is the minimum charge for any destination. (Yes, even if you take a taxi to a place 200 metres away). From the city to the airport, it will cost around 300NOK.
Owning your own wheels
Vehicle insurance – From 200 NOK a month and above.
Vehicle purchase – Anywhere from 8000 NOK and above.
Your exact customized cost of living index for Oslo is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Oslo is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10%.
Your exact customized hardship index premium for Oslo is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
Source: Xpatulator
Of course, the salary that you get will, more often than not, be more than sufficient for you to live comfortably. Many expats in Stavanger are also used to going on many holidays – when you do that, be sure to stock up on all you need, i.e. cosmetics, personal care, etc and get the services you require abroad: hairdresser, spa, pedicures, manicures, etc.
See entire Culture Shock Norway series here.
Related Articles
About Cynthia Myrnes
Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!
- Web |
- More Posts (169)
2 comments
lualpa
Nov 22, 2010
Cynthia, thank you for the series but somehow I am at a loss. I found that the first article was in June and this one claims to be the twelfth.
Where may I find the whole array?
Thank you in advance
Lp
Cynthia
Nov 22, 2010
Hi, all the articles can be found here.