Skyline of Oslo
Cost of Living: 130 693,000

Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Norway's capital and economic center, surrounded by fjords and forests, known for its Viking history and modern architecture.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Oslo is a city in Oslo with a population of 693,000. Norway’s capital and economic center, surrounded by fjords and forests, known for its Viking history and modern architecture. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 130

Very High vs Norway Avg (100)

Housing Index 140

Above Average

Median Income NOK 520,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Oslo vs Norway Average

Cost of Living
Oslo: 130
Norway Avg: 100
Housing Index
Oslo: 140
Norway Avg: 100

Taxes

  • Income Tax: None
  • VAT: 25.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: NOK 520,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 693,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 72°F
  • Winter Low: 22°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: kr6,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr15000/mo

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Cost of Living

Oslo's cost of living index is 130 (Norway average = 100).

CategoryOsloNational AverageDifference
Overall130100+30.0%
Housing140100+40.0%

Data source: SSB / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr6,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr15000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr18,750/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr4,000

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 Oslo:

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

Oslo scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
130
Rent
kr15000
Sunny Days
170
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
72°F / 22°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
693,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Oslo has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January42°F22°F2.5"
April57°F37°F2.8"
July72°F47°F1.5"
October52°F40°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Oslo faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

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 3.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Oslo 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).

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#83
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University of Oslo

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

Demographics

The population of Oslo 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 Oslo, Oslo, Norway?

The cost of living index in Oslo is 130, which is Higher the Norway national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Oslo is kr6,000,000. The housing index is 140.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Oslo is approximately kr15000/mo.

Does Oslo, Oslo have income tax?

Oslo is in Oslo, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Oslo?

Oslo enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 72°F, while winter lows can drop to around 22°F.

Relocation Guides

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.