Cost of Living Comparison Between Sumba and TorshavnCost of Living Comparison Between Sumba and Torshavn
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $218 per month in Sumba vs $2,279 in Torshavn, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $295 per month in Sumba vs $3,597 in Torshavn, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $372 per month in Sumba vs $4,916 in Torshavn, rent included.
🙂Sumba is about 90% cheaper than Torshavn, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Sumba sits 84% below the global median, while Torshavn is 71% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$22.94FOK 150
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$138FOK 903
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$20.23FOK 132
-
Cappuccino
-
$7.03FOK 45.90
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.11FOK 20.31
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.57FOK 16.77
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$9.49FOK 62.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$8.50FOK 55.5
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.36FOK 15.41
$2.27FOK 14.84
3.96%
White Bread(500g)
-
$4.00FOK 26.15
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.89FOK 12.36
-
Eggs
-
$5.74FOK 37.47
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$12.90FOK 84.2
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$14.16FOK 92.5
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.34FOK 15.29
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$2.81FOK 18.36
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$3.05FOK 19.89
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.89FOK 12.36
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.72FOK 17.79
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$3.39FOK 22.15
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$2.53FOK 16.53
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.74FOK 17.91
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.72FOK 70.0
$10.72FOK 70.0
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.02FOK 78.5
$12.80FOK 83.6
-6.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38FOK 15.55
$2.15FOK 14.06
10.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91FOK 12.48
$3.02FOK 19.75
-36.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.60FOK 30.05
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$12.44FOK 81.2
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.03FOK 13.27
$2.08FOK 13.60
-2.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$55.9KFOK 364.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$131FOK 857
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$39.70FOK 259
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.4FOK 401
$67.3FOK 439
-8.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.51FOK 258
$40.01FOK 261
-1.25%
Cinema Ticket
$15.47FOK 101
$16.37FOK 107
-5.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$559FOK 3,648
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$155FOK 1,010
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$62.4FOK 408
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$165FOK 1,078
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$224FOK 1,461
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,103FOK 7,204
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$938FOK 6,125
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,959FOK 12.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,516FOK 9,898
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,755FOK 31.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$4,761FOK 31.1K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sumba
Torshavn
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$3,297FOK 21.5K
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sumba: July 11, 2026
Last update for Torshavn: July 12, 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: $218 in Sumba, $2,279 in Torshavn – roughly 946% apart. Torshavn costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Sumba compared to Torshavn?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $327 per month in Sumba and $3,418 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 $218 in Sumba and $2,279 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 458% 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 $218, than in Torshavn at $2,279. 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 $218 in Sumba to $2,279 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.