🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,382 in Grimstad versus $2,689 in Stavanger.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,516 in Grimstad versus $4,070 in Stavanger.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,650 in Grimstad versus $5,451 in Stavanger.
🙂Living in Grimstad costs roughly 11% less than in Stavanger, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Grimstad77% above, Stavanger100% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.62NOK 215
$25.39NOK 241
-10.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.1NOK 485
$120NOK 1,138
-57.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.93NOK 142
$15.31NOK 145
-2.48%
Cappuccino
$4.65NOK 44.16
$5.03NOK 47.77
-7.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95NOK 37.53
$3.88NOK 36.83
1.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18NOK 30.15
$3.47NOK 32.89
-8.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$12.35NOK 117
$10.98NOK 104
12.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.13NOK 96.2
$10.21NOK 96.9
-0.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.38NOK 22.61
$2.31NOK 21.93
3.03%
White Bread(500g)
$3.11NOK 29.55
$3.12NOK 29.59
-0.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.12NOK 29.63
$4.58NOK 43.48
-31.88%
Eggs
$3.28NOK 31.10
$4.48NOK 42.52
-26.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.98NOK 104
$12.90NOK 122
-14.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.84NOK 131
$16.73NOK 159
-17.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.01NOK 152
$27.83NOK 264
-42.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.04NOK 19.38
$3.48NOK 33.01
-41.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.25NOK 21.32
$2.64NOK 25.03
-14.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.32NOK 31.53
$3.11NOK 29.53
6.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.04NOK 38.33
$4.68NOK 44.37
-13.68%
Potato(1kg)
$2.44NOK 23.13
$2.08NOK 19.77
17.31%
Onion(1kg)
$2.57NOK 24.37
$3.08NOK 29.27
-16.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.84NOK 26.94
$2.47NOK 23.47
14.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74NOK 16.54
$1.83NOK 17.38
-4.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$16.98NOK 161
$14.97NOK 142
13.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.94NOK 151
$18.46NOK 175
-13.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.38NOK 32.07
$3.68NOK 34.89
-8.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.20NOK 39.82
$4.10NOK 38.90
2.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$5.18NOK 49.19
$4.58NOK 43.47
13.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.0NOK 731
$68.6NOK 651
12.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$10.22NOK 97.0
$15.31NOK 145
-33.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.41NOK 13.36
$2.06NOK 19.57
-31.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$42.62NOK 405
$100NOK 953
-57.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.28NOK 21.67
$2.11NOK 20.01
8.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.2KNOK 344.0K
$34.4KNOK 326.1K
5.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.2KNOK 409.9K
$32.4KNOK 307.3K
33.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$300NOK 2,843
$190NOK 1,806
57.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.50NOK 271
$42.20NOK 401
-32.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.0NOK 541
$83.1NOK 789
-31.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.64NOK 471
$55.9NOK 531
-11.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.88NOK 331
$35.16NOK 334
-0.80%
Cinema Ticket
$15.05NOK 143
$19.57NOK 186
-23.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269NOK 2,552
$321NOK 3,048
-16.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0KNOK 142.1K
$13.0KNOK 123.1K
15.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.8NOK 482
$116NOK 1,098
-56.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$61.9NOK 588
$58.0NOK 550
6.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103NOK 979
$107NOK 1,017
-3.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$166NOK 1,580
$160NOK 1,519
4.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,216NOK 11.5K
$1,595NOK 15.1K
-23.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$907NOK 8,608
$1,126NOK 10.7K
-19.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,800NOK 17.1K
$2,732NOK 25.9K
-34.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,542NOK 14.6K
$1,774NOK 16.8K
-13.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$6,036NOK 57.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,366NOK 50.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Grimstad
Stavanger
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,416NOK 41.9K
$5,104NOK 48.4K
-13.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.9
4.51
8.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Grimstad: June 7, 2026
Last update for Stavanger: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,216 in Grimstad and $1,595 in Stavanger. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Stavanger pays 16% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $51.0 in Grimstad vs $120 in Stavanger for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $390 vs $473 per month, with Grimstad cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Grimstad vs Stavanger: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stavanger cheaper than Grimstad?
Grimstad is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 13% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Grimstad or Stavanger?
On paper, Stavanger earns 16% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Grimstad and Stavanger?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,216 in Grimstad versus $1,595 in Stavanger. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Grimstad vs Stavanger?
All in, you'll spend $2,382 per month in Grimstad versus $2,689 in Stavanger – a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Grimstad runs roughly 12% less than in Stavanger. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Grimstad or Stavanger?
At $2,382 in Grimstad versus $2,689 in Stavanger, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Grimstad but tight or insufficient in Stavanger. The gap between the two cities makes Grimstad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Grimstad or Stavanger more family-friendly?
For families, Grimstad is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Stavanger, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Grimstad or Stavanger?
Safety-wise, Grimstad and Stavanger are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Grimstad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Stavanger. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.