Skyline of Kuopio
Cost of Living: 100 119,000

Kuopio, Finland

A lakeside city in the Finnish Lakeland, known for its market square, Kuopio Cathedral, and traditional fish pastries.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Kuopio is a city in North Savo with a population of 119,000. A lakeside city in the Finnish Lakeland, known for its market square, Kuopio Cathedral, and traditional fish pastries. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 4b growing zone supports Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Finland Avg (100)

Housing Index 102

Above Average

Median Income €34,000

Household income

Unemployment 8.0%

Job market health

Kuopio vs Finland Average

Cost of Living
Kuopio: 100
Finland Avg: 100
Housing Index
Kuopio: 102
Finland Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 24.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €34,000
  • Unemployment: 8.0%
  • Population: 119,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 68°F
  • Winter Low: 14°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: €2,600,000
  • 1BR Rent: €7500/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

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

CategoryKuopioNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing102100+2.0%

Data source: Statistics Finland / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€2,600,000
Median Rent (1BR)€7500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€9,375/mo
Price per Sq Ft€1,733

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 Kuopio:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€50
Heating & Cooling€224Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€25Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€30Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities€329Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Energiavirasto, Helen, Elisa 2025

Remote Work Score

Kuopio scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
€7500
Sunny Days
170
Tax
None
Unemployment
8.0%
Climate
68°F / 14°F
Safety
1.8 homicides/100k
Population
119,000
Internet Speed
150 Mbps

Climate

Kuopio has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January34°F14°F2.5"
April53°F29°F2.8"
July68°F43°F1.5"
October48°F32°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Kuopio faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Finland experiences severe winter storms and extreme cold.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and lake flooding.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Northern Finland with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 24%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 8.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Kuopio 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

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 (10 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (1 week, hiihtoloma)

Hiihtoloma (ski break) in February/March varies by region.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

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

Ethnicity

Asian
3.0%
Finnish
90.0%
Other
2.0%
Other European
5.0%

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)
66.0%
Other
4.0%
Unaffiliated
30.0%

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 Finland (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 Kuopio, Finland?

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

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

The median home price in Kuopio is €2,600,000. The housing index is 102.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kuopio is approximately €7500/mo.

Does Kuopio, North Savo have income tax?

Kuopio is in North Savo, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Kuopio?

Kuopio enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 68°F, while winter lows can drop to around 14°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: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.