Is Norway overpriced?

You may have heard that Scandinavia is famously expensive for tourists. High Norwegian salaries mean both the standard and cost of living in Norway is higher than many countries. While Norway does live up to its reputation of being an expensive place to visit, you can definitely enjoy an affordable Norway vacation.

Norway does not top the list of the most expensive countries in Europe (that dubious honour goes to Switzerland and Iceland in 2022, based on Mercer's exhaustive 2022 cost of living index rankings).

Let's not beat around the bush: Norway is expensive. However, the historically weak krone has made it a bit less so recently, and even if exchange rates change, there are plenty of ways to stretch your budget without missing out on the fantastic experiences the country has to offer.

It is important to keep in mind, however, that the living costs in Norway are high. It can cost international students between €800 –€1400 per month to live in the country. But there are some grants and scholarships available to help students fund their time abroad.

Competition laws and subsidised farms

Also, farms in Norway are relatively small compared to other parts of the world, and there are strict laws on the welfare of animals. This makes farming less profitable, so farmers sell their produce for much higher prices than other countries.

Norway is expensive because it is a rich country and there are small differences in salaries. In addition, Norway has a large range of universal health and welfare services free of charge, paid for by taxes. This means that some services are relatively expensive.

The cost of living is extremely high

Rents and home prices in Norway are extremely expensive. The cost of food is also high, especially if you're dining out. If you don't like to cook at home, you may need to take a good, long look at your budget to see if you can afford to live in Norway.

Drink prices in Norway

Soft drinks cost around 35-50 NOK/ 4-5 EUR. Coffee or tea costs 25-30 NOK/ 3-4 EUR. Cappuccino or late costs around 50 NOK / 5 EUR. Beer prices at a café usually start around 70- 90 NOK/ 7-9 EUR.

English is widely spoken in Norway, and virtually every Norwegian can speak fluent (or understand a minimum of, this is mostly the elder people) English. Tourist information is usually printed in several languages.

Travel in the off-season

May, early June, late August and September are excellent months to explore Norway in a less expensive and less crowded way.

Out of all of Scandinavia, Denmark is the cheapest to visit – especially if you visit early February which is usually always the most cost-effective time to fly and stay. Fortunately there is plenty to do which is free or only a small fee.

When it comes to shopping, Norway ranked most expensive in three specific categories: bread and cereals; fruit and vegetables; and milk, cheese and eggs. The latter isn't a surprise given Norway's strict controls on the important and sale of dairy products.

Hotels are typically between 780kr ($75 USD) and 2460kr ($235 USD) per night, though there are some cheaper options. Food can range anything from about 120kr (~$11 USD) at a fast food meal to 410kr (~$44 USD) per person at a mid-range restaurant in Norway.

In a good, not too expensive restaurant you pay between 150 and 200 NoK for a pizza for one person, depending on the toppings.

There is no general minimum wage in Norway. Wages are subject to agreement between the employer and the employee as part of the written employment contract.

For a more lavish experience, you can enjoy a restaurant meal out. An average meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 200 Krona (around $18 USD). And a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant in Norway will set you back about 900 Krona ($85 USD) for two people.

Ireland's price level for consumer goods and services was a whopping 46% above the EU average in 2022, according to new data released by Eurostat today. The report named Ireland as the country with the highest overall price level, followed by Denmark ...

Widespread price growth, increased interest rates and weaker growth prospects internationally will lead to an economic downturn in Norway in the next few years.

Although Norway's immigration rules mean moving to the country isn't always easy, it may not be as challenging as you think. Of the 5.48 million people presently living in Norway, approximately 15% were born in another country. That includes the more than 10,000 Americans who call Norway home.

Language requirements

Many well-educated Norwegians can speak English fluently, and some large companies use English as their working language. However, most jobs require workers to have fluent knowledge of Norwegian. Regardless, learning it will greatly increase your options and potentially lead to better salaries.

Norway is known as a safe country with very low crime rates and high quality of living. Expats should feel very comfortable living in Norway. According to the World Population Review, Norway is ranked as the 17th Safest Country in the World in 2022.

Budget accommodations are available in the biggest cities of both countries, but costs increase drastically when heading out on road trips. Exchange rates vary, but at the time of writing most cost comparison websites consider Iceland to be more expensive than Norway.

Are trains expensive in Norway? Travelling by train in Norway can be expensive if you do it by yourself, but our Over the Roof of Norway holiday includes train travel between Oslo and Bergen and a journey on the Flam Railway as well as including accommodation and breakfasts across the six-night trip.

Typically Norwegian

It is possible to live comfortably in Oslo if you speak English, but you will find life easier if you learn Norwegian. If you are planning on living here more than three years, you might be obliged to learn Norwegian.