Skyline of Ålesund
Cost of Living: 110 67,000

Ålesund, Møre og Romsdal, Norway

A stunning Art Nouveau city spread across islands, known for its unique architecture and proximity to the Geirangerfjord.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Ålesund is a city in Møre og Romsdal with a population of 67,000. A stunning Art Nouveau city spread across islands, known for its unique architecture and proximity to the Geirangerfjord. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 110

Above Average vs Norway Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income NOK 410,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Ålesund vs Norway Average

Cost of Living
Ålesund: 110
Norway Avg: 100
Housing Index
Ålesund: 115
Norway Avg: 100

Taxes

  • Income Tax: None
  • VAT: 25.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: NOK 410,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 67,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 150/year
  • Summer High: 62°F
  • Winter Low: 32°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: kr3,800,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr10000/mo

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Cost of Living

Ålesund's cost of living index is 110 (Norway average = 100).

CategoryÅlesundNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: SSB / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr3,800,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr10000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr12,500/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr2,533

Data source: Finn / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

kr
%
$90,000 down
%
%
kr

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Ålesund:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitykr1500
Heating & Coolingkr175Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterkr500Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)kr600Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitieskr2775Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NVE, Statnett, Telenor 2025

Remote Work Score

Ålesund scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
kr10000
Sunny Days
150
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
62°F / 32°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
67,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Ålesund has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January52°F32°F2.5"
April47°F47°F2.8"
July62°F37°F1.5"
October42°F50°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Ålesund faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Norway experiences severe winter storms.

Avalanche High Risk

Mountainous region with frequent avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Mountainous region with landslides.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • VAT: 25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Ålesund per 100,000 residents:

65.8
Violent Crime
2,201.1
Property Crime
0.7
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Semester — Autumn (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

Høstferie (autumn break) in October (1 week).

Demographics

The population of Ålesund is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
5.0%
Norwegian
82.0%
Other
5.0%
Other European
8.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
15.0%
Some college
20.0%

Religion

Christian (Protestant)
68.0%
Muslim
4.0%
Other
3.0%
Unaffiliated
25.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Statistics Norway (2022)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Ålesund, Møre og Romsdal, Norway?

The cost of living index in Ålesund is 110, which is Higher the Norway national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Ålesund?

The median home price in Ålesund is kr3,800,000. The housing index is 115.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ålesund is approximately kr10000/mo.

Does Ålesund, Møre og Romsdal have income tax?

Ålesund is in Møre og Romsdal, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Ålesund?

Ålesund enjoys approximately 150 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 62°F, while winter lows can drop to around 32°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: SSB / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Finn / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: SSB Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities NVE, Statnett, Telenor 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.