Norway has a reputation for being expensive, and that reputation is not entirely undeserved. Still, there are places where your kroner stretch surprisingly far if you know where to look. After a lifetime here and plenty of years helping visitors and newcomers settle in, I’ve learned that “cheap in Norway” usually means choosing the right city, the right neighborhood, and a few smart habits.
If you want a quick answer, the cheapest cities in Norway tend to be mid-sized or smaller urban areas away from the biggest job hubs and the most touristed coastlines. Skien and Porsgrunn in Telemark, Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg in Østfold, Hamar and Gjøvik in Innlandet, and Kristiansund and Molde on the northwest coast consistently offer lower housing costs than Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Tromsø. Daily expenses like groceries and transport vary less, but housing is where you feel the biggest difference.
Curious how these places compare and what life actually feels like there? Let’s take a deeper look at the cheapest cities in Norway, what “cheap” truly means here, and how to live comfortably without sacrificing quality of life.
What “Cheap” Really Means In Norway
When Norwegians talk about affordability, we mostly mean housing. Rent and mortgages are the line items that swing the budget. Groceries are relatively similar nationwide with some variation on selection and local promotions. Utilities depend on your power contract and insulation more than your address, though colder inland winters may nudge heating costs up. Public transport costs are set locally but usually within a similar range.
In other words, if you can lower your housing costs, you can lower your overall cost of living. That is why smaller and mid-sized cities are the usual winners. You trade a larger job market for cheaper apartments or more space for your money, often with access to nature that rivals the big-name destinations.
How Much Can You Save Compared To The Big Cities
To set expectations, a one-bedroom apartment in central Oslo often sits in the mid-to-high five figures per month in NOK. In Bergen, Stavanger, and Tromsø, prices are typically a notch lower than the capital but still high for most budgets. By contrast, in the more affordable cities listed in this guide, a comparable one-bedroom can often be 30 to 50 percent cheaper, and townhouses or small houses become realistic if you are buying with a normal Norwegian income.
Commuting patterns matter, too. If you can work remotely or only commute occasionally, a lower-rent city that is 1 to 2.5 hours from a larger hub can be an excellent sweet spot.
The Cheapest Cities In Norway: My Short List
If I had to make a practical short list for value seekers, I would start here:
Skien and Porsgrunn (Telemark)
Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg (Østfold)
Hamar and Gjøvik (Innlandet)
Kristiansund and Molde (Møre og Romsdal)
Halden (Østfold)
Elverum and Kongsvinger (Innlandet)
Each pair or city has its own flavor, strengths, and trade-offs. The common thread is lower housing costs, manageable local transport, and good access to everyday services.
Skien and Porsgrunn: Telemark’s Practical Duo
Telemark rarely gets the first look from international newcomers, which partly explains why Skien and Porsgrunn remain budget friendly. They share a functional urban area with a combined population that supports decent shopping, gyms, cultural venues, and cafés. Housing is where these cities shine. You find solid apartment choices at prices far below Oslo, and if you intend to buy, older detached houses with gardens are still within reach.
Lifestyle wise, you are close to the Telemark Canal, forest trails, and proper winter conditions inland. Summers are pleasant, and a day trip to the coast is easy. Commuting to Oslo is possible for hybrid work if you plan your week, but most residents work locally in industry, retail, public services, or smaller tech firms.
Local tip: Join a hiking group or a language café. Smaller cities in Telemark are welcoming if you show up regularly. You will meet people faster than in the capital.
Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg: Affordable With A Coastal Breeze
Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg sit in a corner of the Oslofjord that tourists often pass by on their way to Sweden or the capital. That works in your favor. The historic old town in Fredrikstad is charming, there is solid café life, and summer by the water is excellent. Housing is noticeably cheaper than in Oslo, yet you are close enough for occasional commutes, concerts, or airport runs.
The bus and train links towards the capital are decent, supermarkets have good selection, and families appreciate the sports facilities and kindergartens. If you want coastal energy without paying the price tag of Asker, Bærum, or Drammen, this is a smart compromise.
Local tip: Look at neighborhoods slightly outside the most popular old-town area for the best value. You often get a balcony or shared garden without inflating the price.
Hamar and Gjøvik: Lake Mjøsa’s Calm Value
If you prefer calm, well-kept towns with real winters, Hamar and Gjøvik are great value. They sit on opposite sides of Lake Mjøsa and share a strong everyday infrastructure: schools, sports clubs, decent cafés, and well-run municipalities. Housing is kinder on the wallet than the big four cities, and you can still reach Oslo by train if needed.
Hamar is a touch larger and has a proud speed-skating culture. Gjøvik feels more intimate, with quick access to forests that stay quiet even on sunny Sundays. For families and remote workers, this region makes sense if you like space, fresh air, and price stability.
Local tip: Winter heating adds up if you rent an old wooden house. Prioritize apartments or homes with heat pumps and good insulation.
Kristiansund and Molde: Northwest Savings With Sea Views
On the northwest coast, Kristiansund and Molde give you the fjords without the Bergen price tag. They are working towns with shipping, energy, maritime services, and public sector jobs. Housing is significantly more affordable and the scenery is still what people fly across the world to see.
Molde is known for its panoramic “Molde view” of mountain peaks and a busy summer festival scene. Kristiansund has its island layout, snug harbors, and strong local identity. Both offer reliable everyday life, quick access to hiking and fishing, and a lower cost of settling down.
Local tip: Ferry and bridge tolls can surprise newcomers in the fjord regions. Budget for occasional crossings if your work or social life spans multiple islands.
Halden: Border Town With Castle Charm
Halden often flies under the radar, but it is one of the better values in southern Norway. The Fredriksten fortress watches over the town, summers are warm by Norwegian standards, and the local music scene punches above its weight. Thanks to its position near Sweden, shopping runs across the border are common, although Norway-side groceries will cover your daily needs just fine.
If you want a small, friendly city with low entry prices for both renting and buying, Halden deserves a look. The train to Oslo is workable for occasional trips, and the E6 makes driving straightforward.
Local tip: If you drive, compare fuel prices on either side of the border. If you do not, Halden’s compact center keeps your transport spend low.
Elverum and Kongsvinger: Forest Towns With Room To Breathe
In Innlandet, Elverum and Kongsvinger deliver the classic Norwegian small-city feel: quiet neighborhoods, forest at the edge of town, and reasonable prices. They do get colder winters, so factor in clothing and heating. Housing remains considerably cheaper than the coast, and you can buy a livable house on a normal budget, something that is increasingly rare in the larger cities.
Work is found in health services, education, logistics, and local business. If your job is remote, these towns let you trade rent for quality of life immediately.
Local tip: Buses run fine inside town limits, but you will want a car if you plan weekend cottage trips or more remote trailheads.
Cities That Are Usually Not Cheap
For balance, it helps to know the places where bargains are scarce. Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Tromsø are consistently among the most expensive cities to live in, driven by demand, limited central housing, and strong job markets. If you must live in one of these, consider the edge neighborhoods outside the very center, or opt for a smaller apartment for the first year while you learn the market.
Student note: Student towns like Trondheim and Bergen have vibrant scenes and plenty of small rooms, but the competition keeps prices high around term starts. Apply early, and be flexible on location.
How To Keep Costs Down Wherever You Live
A city can be cheap and you can still overspend. A few Norwegian habits make a difference:
Join a grocery membership. Chains like Coop and NorgesGruppen offer member rebates and weekly coupons. Over a year, 5 to 10 percent back on groceries and fuel is realistic if you pay attention to the app.
Choose the right power contract. Electricity prices in Norway fluctuate. Fixed price gives stability, spot price can be cheaper long term. In cold inland cities, a heat pump is worth its weight in gold.
Use period tickets for transport. Monthly passes beat single fares quickly. In smaller cities, biking is often fast enough that you can skip a car entirely.
Shop used. Finn.no is our national secondhand marketplace. From winter gear to furniture, buying used is normal here and can halve your setup costs.
Cook Norwegian simple. Oatmeal, lentil soups, fish cakes with boiled potatoes, and big weekend batch-cooks will beat restaurant prices by a mile. Eating out is a treat in Norway, not a default.
How To Choose The Right “Cheap” City For You
Start with your work reality. If you are remote, you can maximize savings in inland or northwest cities. If you need to visit Oslo monthly, Østfold or Innlandet near the main rail lines are ideal. Next, consider winter and daylight. Inland winters are colder but stable and bright with snow. Coastal towns are milder but darker and wetter. Then look at hobbies. If you want sailing and archipelago swims, Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg win. If you live for cross-country skiing, Hamar, Gjøvik, Elverum, or Kongsvinger feel like home.
Finally, try a short let first. Spend one to two months in a neighborhood you are considering. You will learn more from two grocery runs, one storm, and a Sunday walk than from any spreadsheet.
A Few Neighborhood Clues From A Local
In the cities mentioned, you can usually stretch your kroner by stepping just outside the postcard center. In Skien and Porsgrunn, older residential streets a short bus ride from downtown often hide great apartments. In Fredrikstad, look one or two stops beyond the old town ferry. Around Hamar and Gjøvik, neighborhoods uphill from the lake can be quieter and cheaper while still offering quick access to the station.
If you are buying, take note of building insulation, window age, and shared costs in apartment buildings. Those details matter more to your monthly budget than an extra few square meters.
Bottom Line: Norway On A Budget Is Not A Myth
If you plan around housing and pick a city that matches your work and hobbies, living affordably in Norway is entirely possible. Skien and Porsgrunn, Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg, Hamar and Gjøvik, Kristiansund and Molde, Halden, Elverum, and Kongsvinger all offer a gentler entry point with genuine Norwegian everyday life. Add a couple of smart habits, and you will find that the country’s famous quality of life does not require capital-city prices.