Skyline of Odense
Cost of Living: 110 178,000

Odense, Denmark

The birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, a charming city on the island of Funen with cobblestone streets and fairy-tale atmosphere.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Odense is a city in Southern Denmark with a population of 178,000. The birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, a charming city on the island of Funen with cobblestone streets and fairy-tale atmosphere. 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 Denmark Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income DKK 370,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.5%

Job market health

Odense vs Denmark Average

Cost of Living
Odense: 110
Denmark Avg: 100
Housing Index
Odense: 115
Denmark Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 25.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: DKK 370,000
  • Unemployment: 4.5%
  • Population: 178,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 68°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: kr3,200,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr9000/mo

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Cost of Living

Odense's cost of living index is 110 (Denmark average = 100).

CategoryOdenseNational AverageDifference
Overall110100+10.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Statistics Denmark / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr3,200,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr9000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr11,250/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr2,133

Data source: Boligsiden / 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 Odense:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitykr800
Heating & Coolingkr163Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterkr300Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)kr300Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitieskr1563Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Energitilsynet, Ørsted, TDC 2025

Remote Work Score

Odense scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
110
Rent
kr9000
Sunny Days
170
Tax
None
Unemployment
4.5%
Climate
68°F / 30°F
Safety
0.9 homicides/100k
Population
178,000
Internet Speed
220 Mbps

Climate

Odense has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April53°F45°F2.8"
July68°F43°F1.5"
October48°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Odense faces the following natural hazards:

Flood Moderate Risk

Coastal flooding and storm surges.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Denmark experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 25%
  • Property Tax: ~0.6% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Odense per 100,000 residents:

62.2
Violent Crime
3,161.7
Property Crime
0.9
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 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year August to June
Term System Semester — Autumn (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to August (7 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter week (1 week)

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

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

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

Demographics

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

Ethnicity

Danish
85.0%
Middle Eastern
4.0%
Other
4.0%
Other European
7.0%

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)
74.0%
Muslim
4.0%
Other
2.0%
Unaffiliated
20.0%

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 Denmark (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 Odense, Denmark?

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

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

The median home price in Odense is kr3,200,000. The housing index is 115.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Odense is approximately kr9000/mo.

Does Odense, Southern Denmark have income tax?

Odense is in Southern Denmark, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Odense?

Odense enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 68°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Denmark / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Boligsiden / Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Denmark Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Energitilsynet, Ørsted, TDC 2025

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