Cost of Living Comparison Between Sumba and Torshavn Cost of Living Comparison Between Sumba and Torshavn

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $217 per month in Sumba vs $2,613 in Torshavn, rent included.

A couple spends around $290 per month in Sumba vs $4,059 in Torshavn, rent included.

A family of three spends $364 per month in Sumba vs $5,505 in Torshavn, rent included.

Sumba is about 92% cheaper than Torshavn, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Sumba sits 84% below the global median, while Torshavn is 90% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$27.35 FOK 176
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$158 FOK 1,020
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$19.85 FOK 128
-
Cappuccino
-
$7.24 FOK 46.71
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.42 FOK 22.07
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.80 FOK 18.08
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$9.42 FOK 60.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$9.22 FOK 59.5
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.31 FOK 14.87
$2.32 FOK 14.97
-0.43%
White Bread (500g)
-
$5.10 FOK 32.87
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$3.06 FOK 19.71
-
Eggs
-
$6.45 FOK 41.63
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$17.16 FOK 111
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$14.67 FOK 94.6
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$18.51 FOK 119
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$4.11 FOK 26.50
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$5.79 FOK 37.35
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$6.12 FOK 39.45
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$5.23 FOK 33.71
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$3.72 FOK 23.99
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$4.83 FOK 31.18
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$3.38 FOK 21.82
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$3.81 FOK 24.55
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.84 FOK 69.9
$11.86 FOK 76.5
-8.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.17 FOK 78.5
$13.79 FOK 88.9
-11.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.40 FOK 15.49
$4.13 FOK 26.65
-41.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 FOK 11.87
$3.09 FOK 19.92
-40.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.64 FOK 29.91
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$31.50 FOK 203
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$15.52 FOK 100
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.07 FOK 13.34
$1.79 FOK 11.54
15.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$134 FOK 862
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$45.04 FOK 291
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.3 FOK 396
$93.4 FOK 602
-34.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.73 FOK 250
$57.4 FOK 370
-32.49%
Cinema Ticket
$15.64 FOK 101
$16.84 FOK 109
-7.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$506 FOK 3,263
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$146 FOK 939
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$62.4 FOK 403
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$171 FOK 1,100
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$253 FOK 1,634
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,143 FOK 7,374
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$915 FOK 5,899
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,906 FOK 12.3K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,441 FOK 9,291
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,741 FOK 30.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$4,729 FOK 30.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$3,361 FOK 21.7K
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Sumba: August 29, 2026

Last update for Torshavn: August 30, 2026

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
Sumba vs Torshavn: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Sumba and in Torshavn compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $217 in Sumba, $2,613 in Torshavn – roughly 1103% apart. Torshavn costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Sumba compared to Torshavn?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $326 per month in Sumba and $3,920 in Torshavn. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Sumba or Torshavn?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $217 in Sumba and $2,613 in Torshavn. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 745% more in Torshavn, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sumba, where all-in costs run around $217, than in Torshavn at $2,613. In Sumba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Torshavn it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Sumba and Torshavn?
It depends on your priorities. Torshavn has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $217 in Sumba to $2,613 in Torshavn. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Sumba or Torshavn safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Sumba and Torshavn?
If budget matters most, go with Sumba. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Torshavn makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Sumba vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities