Skyline of Kemi
Cost of Living: 88 21,000

Kemi, Lapland, Finland

A Lapland port city on the Gulf of Bothnia, known for its snow castle, icebreaker cruises, and paper industry.

Updated July 19, 2026
Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs Finland Avg (100)

Housing Index 85

Affordable

Median Income €27,000

Household income

Unemployment 9.5%

Job market health

Kemi vs Finland Average

Cost of Living
Kemi: 88
Finland Avg: 100
Housing Index
Kemi: 85
Finland Avg: 100

Taxes

  • Income Tax: None
  • VAT: 24.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €27,000
  • Unemployment: 9.5%
  • Population: 21,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 160/year
  • Summer High: 66°F
  • Winter Low: 10°F

Housing

  • Median Home: €1,600,000
  • 1BR Rent: €5000/mo

Cost of Living

Kemi's cost of living index is 88 (Finland average = 100).

CategoryKemiNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing85100-15.0%

Data source: Statistics Finland / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€1,600,000
Median Rent (1BR)€5000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€6,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft€1,066

Data source: Oikotie / Numbeo, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Kemi:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€120Based on ~6,000 kWh/year typical Finnish household usage
Heating & Cooling€252Estimated based on local climate. district or electric heating
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€50Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€25Private service
Total Utilities€517Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Energiavirasto, Helen, Elisa 2025

Best Neighborhoods

Downtown Kemi

The heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Average rent: €6,000/mo.

Kemi Heights

Trendy area with local businesses and a mix of historic and modern housing. Average rent: €5,500/mo.

East Kemi

Up-and-coming neighborhood with new developments and young professionals. Average rent: €4,500/mo.

West Kemi

Family-friendly area with parks and good schools. Average rent: €4,750/mo.

Remote Work Score

Kemi scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
€5000
Sunny Days
160
Tax
None
Unemployment
9.5%
Climate
66°F / 10°F

Climate

Kemi has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January30°F10°F2.5"
April51°F25°F2.8"
July66°F41°F1.5"
October46°F28°F2.2"

Taxes

  • Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • VAT: 24%
  • Property Tax: ~1.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 9.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Kemi per 100,000 residents:

77.6
Violent Crime
2,476.6
Property Crime
1.8
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

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 Kemi, Lapland, Finland?

The cost of living index in Kemi is 88, which is Lower the Finland national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Kemi is €1,600,000. The housing index is 85.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kemi is approximately €5000/mo.

Does Kemi, Lapland have income tax?

Kemi is in Lapland, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Kemi?

Kemi enjoys approximately 160 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 66°F, while winter lows can drop to around 10°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Finland / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Oikotie / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Finland Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Energiavirasto, Helen, Elisa 2025

Data last updated: July 19, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.