Cost of Living in Helsinki - Updated Prices & Insights

84.89
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,134 (excluding rent), and $2,162 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,933 (excluding rent), and $4,619 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.4 €15.03
$11.6 €10.01
$29 €25.04
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102 €88.4
$73.9 €63.8
$137 €118
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.85 €11.1
$11.28 €9.74
$14.03 €12.11
Cappuccino
$5.01 €4.32
$2.82 €2.43
$6.76 €5.84
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 €2.71
$2.25 €1.94
$4.73 €4.09
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 €1.98
$1.38 €1.19
$3.45 €2.98
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.23 €7.1
$5.88 €5.08
$11.75 €10.14
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.13 €7.02
$5.81 €5.02
$11.62 €10.03
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 €1.16
$1.02 €0.88
$1.83 €1.58
White Bread (500g)
$2.68 €2.32
$1.23 €1.06
$5.84 €5.04
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.76 €2.38
$1.17 €1.01
$4.07 €3.52
Eggs
$3.5 €3.03
$2.51 €2.17
$5.5 €4.75
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.28 €8.01
$6.87 €5.93
$17.45 €15.07
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.38 €12.42
$9.09 €7.85
$17.04 €14.71
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.79 €19.68
$10.54 €9.1
$35.11 €30.32
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 €2.32
$1.14 €0.98
$3.41 €2.95
Banana (1kg)
$2.2 €1.9
$1.42 €1.23
$2.37 €2.04
Oranges (1kg)
$2.59 €2.24
$1.17 €1.01
$4.71 €4.07
Tomato (1kg)
$4.58 €3.96
$2.25 €1.94
$9.01 €7.78
Potato (1kg)
$1.25 €1.08
$0.94 €0.81
$1.53 €1.32
Onion (1kg)
$1.84 €1.59
$1.17 €1.01
$3.39 €2.93
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.06 €1.78
$1.15 €0.99
$3.65 €3.15
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97 €1.7
$1.17 €1.01
$3.51 €3.03
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.86 €11.1
$11.69 €10.09
$14.62 €12.62
Wine (Bottle)
$15.6 €13.47
$11.55 €9.97
$23.11 €19.96
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.31 €2.86
$1.78 €1.54
$4.72 €4.07
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97 €3.43
$2.07 €1.79
$5.77 €4.98
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.65 €3.15
$3.54 €3.06
$3.77 €3.26
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$81.9 €70.7
$70.3 €60.7
$85.3 €73.6
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.88 €6.81
$6.2 €5.35
$11.26 €9.72
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.16 €1
$1.06 €0.91
$1.58 €1.37
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$69.1 €59.6
$57.6 €49.7
$76 €65.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.1 €1.81
$1.91 €1.65
$2.29 €1.98
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K €32.3K
$35.7K €30.8K
$42.4K €36.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.2K €33.9K
$37.5K €32.4K
$40.6K €35.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$125 €108
$80 €69.1
$243 €210
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.51 €25.48
$21.08 €18.2
$35.14 €30.34
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.61 €20.39
$14.27 €12.32
$34.23 €29.55
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.68 €41.16
$33.8 €29.19
$70 €60.4
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.21 €28.67
$22.72 €19.62
$45.43 €39.22
Cinema Ticket
$19.66 €16.98
$17.14 €14.8
$22.86 €19.74
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$397 €343
$344 €297
$573 €495
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K €9,825
$3,409 €2,943
$19.9K €17.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107 €92
$55.5 €47.95
$149 €129
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.08 €32.88
$22.99 €19.85
$57.5 €49.61
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 €90.7
$58.5 €50.6
$141 €121
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128 €111
$70.7 €61
$212 €183
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,183 €1,021
$965 €833
$1,418 €1,225
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$927 €801
$806 €696
$1,151 €994
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,097 €1,811
$1,723 €1,488
$2,872 €2,480
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,563 €1,350
$1,288 €1,112
$1,873 €1,618
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$9,178 €7,924
$6,811 €5,881
$11.9K €10.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,491 €4,741
$4,349 €3,755
$7,052 €6,089
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,488 €3,012
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.09
2.28
5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Helsinki - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Helsinki compare in affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Compared with other Northern European cities, Helsinki offers stable prices and high value, with strong public services and safety. You’ll find a mix of compact apartments and modern flats, depending on neighborhood, along with efficient transit. For digital nomads, temporary sublets or co living options can ease transitions. Seasonal tourism can push prices up briefly in summer, but long term stays often remain manageable with smart planning. In the end, Cost of Living in Helsinki, Finland tends to reward organization – budget around utilities, transport, and groceries, and look for deals on monthly passes or student discounts if eligible. Tip: Start with a short term stay in a central but affordable neighborhood to test the vibe before committing to a longer lease.
What should you know about daily life in Helsinki, from housing and food to transport and coworking?
When hunting for a place, focus on neighborhoods that fit your pace: central districts for quick access to cafes and errands, or quieter suburbs with parks for weekends. Food options range from affordable markets to casual eateries and specialty grocers; cooking at home saves money. Transit is reliable and extensive: trams and ferries connect most areas, and a monthly pass often beats paying per ride. For work, many coworking spaces offer flexible passes and day rates. When you compare, remember Helsinki, Finland living cost is driven by housing choice, utility usage, and proximity to your daily routines. Tip: Map out a transit-friendly route and test a few neighborhoods on weekends to gauge vibe and overall expenses.
What factors influence quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit for long stays in Helsinki?
Helsinki offers a high quality of life with clean air, strong safety nets, and vibrant outdoor spaces across seasons. Build a simple budgeting framework by tracking essential costs such as rent, utilities, groceries, and transit, then set aside discretionary pinches for meals out or weekend trips. To save, consider joining community groups for swap meets, using energy efficient routines in winter, and choosing shared workspaces with cost-effective options. Seasonality changes mood and expenses: long daylight summers invite outdoor activities, while dark winters favor cozy cafes and culture. Neighborhood fit matters: pick a base that aligns with your daily rhythm, whether you want lively nightlife or tranquil lake views. Tip: prioritize a neighborhood within a comfortable commute to your favorite spots.
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