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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,255 per month in Torshavn vs $216 in Sumba, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,581 per month in Torshavn vs $287 in Sumba, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,908 per month in Torshavn vs $358 in Sumba, rent included.

Torshavn costs about 946% more than Sumba, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Torshavn sits 68% above the global median, while Sumba is 84% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.87 FOK 147
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$140 FOK 895
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$19.96 FOK 128
-
-
Cappuccino
$6.96 FOK 44.60
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 FOK 21.01
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 FOK 16.73
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.50 FOK 60.9
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.32 FOK 53.4
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.33 FOK 14.94
$2.37 FOK 15.17
-1.69%
White Bread (500g)
$3.92 FOK 25.15
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 FOK 12.28
-
-
Eggs
$5.62 FOK 36.02
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.55 FOK 80.4
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.06 FOK 90.1
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 FOK 15.25
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 FOK 18.25
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$3.04 FOK 19.49
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.90 FOK 12.21
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 FOK 18.10
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$3.38 FOK 21.68
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.55 FOK 16.33
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.76 FOK 17.72
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.00 FOK 70.5
$10.66 FOK 68.4
3.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.43 FOK 79.7
$12.20 FOK 78.2
1.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12 FOK 13.62
$2.29 FOK 14.67
-7.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 FOK 19.67
$1.91 FOK 12.23
60.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$4.52 FOK 28.95
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$12.19 FOK 78.2
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.13 FOK 13.65
$1.96 FOK 12.58
8.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$55.8K FOK 357.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$133 FOK 855
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.45 FOK 259
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.0 FOK 423
$61.1 FOK 392
8.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.14 FOK 264
$39.25 FOK 252
4.82%
Cinema Ticket
$16.61 FOK 106
$15.61 FOK 100
6.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$548 FOK 3,512
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$150 FOK 963
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.8 FOK 390
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$166 FOK 1,065
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$224 FOK 1,434
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,124 FOK 7,204
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$918 FOK 5,885
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,964 FOK 12.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,494 FOK 9,579
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,817 FOK 30.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,870 FOK 31.2K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Torshavn
Sumba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,376 FOK 15.2K
-
-

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

Last update for Torshavn: May 31, 2026

Last update for Sumba: May 31, 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
How do living costs in Torshavn and Sumba compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,255 in Torshavn, $216 in Sumba – roughly 946% apart. Torshavn costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Torshavn compared to Sumba?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,382 per month in Torshavn and $323 in Sumba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Torshavn or Sumba?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,255 in Torshavn and $216 in Sumba. 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 455% 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 $216, than in Torshavn at $2,255. 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 Torshavn and Sumba?
It depends on your priorities. Torshavn has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $216 in Sumba to $2,255 in Torshavn. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Torshavn or Sumba 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 Torshavn and Sumba?
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.

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