Skyline of Stavanger
Cost of Living: 120 144,000

Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway

Norway's oil capital, a charming coastal city with white wooden houses, a historic cathedral, and nearby fjords.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Stavanger is a city in Rogaland with a population of 144,000. Norway’s oil capital, a charming coastal city with white wooden houses, a historic cathedral, and nearby fjords. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is above 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 120

Above Average vs Norway Avg (100)

Housing Index 128

Above Average

Median Income NOK 470,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.8%

Job market health

Stavanger vs Norway Average

Cost of Living
Stavanger: 120
Norway Avg: 100
Housing Index
Stavanger: 128
Norway Avg: 100

Taxes

  • Income Tax: None
  • VAT: 25.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: NOK 470,000
  • Unemployment: 2.8%
  • Population: 144,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 66°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: kr4,800,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr12500/mo

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Cost of Living

Stavanger's cost of living index is 120 (Norway average = 100).

CategoryStavangerNational AverageDifference
Overall120100+20.0%
Housing128100+28.0%

Data source: SSB / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr4,800,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr12500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr15,625/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr3,200

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 Stavanger:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitykr1500
Heating & Coolingkr165Estimated 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 Utilitieskr2765Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: NVE, Statnett, Telenor 2025

Remote Work Score

Stavanger scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
120
Rent
kr12500
Sunny Days
170
Tax
None
Unemployment
2.8%
Climate
66°F / 30°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
144,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Stavanger has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April51°F45°F2.8"
July66°F41°F1.5"
October46°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Stavanger 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 2.8%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Stavanger 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

1
Universities
#1340
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Stavanger

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

Demographics

The population of Stavanger 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 Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway?

The cost of living index in Stavanger is 120, which is Higher the Norway national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Stavanger is kr4,800,000. The housing index is 128.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Stavanger is approximately kr12500/mo.

Does Stavanger, Rogaland have income tax?

Stavanger is in Rogaland, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Stavanger?

Stavanger enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 66°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°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.