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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Torshavn costs about 1103% more than Sumba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

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

Milk (1 liter)

$2.32 FOK 14.97

$2.31 FOK 14.87

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)

$11.86 FOK 76.5

$10.84 FOK 69.9

9.41%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.79 FOK 88.9

$12.17 FOK 78.5

13.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.13 FOK 26.65

$2.40 FOK 15.49

72.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 FOK 19.92

$1.84 FOK 11.87

67.93%

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)

$1.79 FOK 11.54

$2.07 FOK 13.34

-13.53%

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)

$93.4 FOK 602

$61.3 FOK 396

52.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.4 FOK 370

$38.73 FOK 250

48.13%

Cinema Ticket

$16.84 FOK 109

$15.64 FOK 101

7.67%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$506 FOK 3,263

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

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

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 Torshavn: August 30, 2026

Last update for Sumba: August 29, 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

Torshavn vs Sumba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,613 in Torshavn, $217 in Sumba – roughly 1103% apart. Torshavn costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,920 per month in Torshavn and $326 in Sumba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,613 in Torshavn and $217 in Sumba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.