Trondheim is one of Norway’s most liveable cities, with a compact center, a huge student population, and quick access to forests and fjord. If you are moving here to study at NTNU, relocating for work, or testing the city for a year, you will find a rental market that is competitive in late summer and calmer the rest of the year. Prices vary a lot by neighborhood, standard, and whether you share.
If you want the short version: a typical one-bedroom apartment in central Trondheim often rents in the 12,000 to 16,000 NOK range per month, while two-bedrooms commonly sit around 16,000 to 22,000 NOK depending on standard and location. Rooms in shared apartments usually fall between 5,500 and 8,500 NOK, again with location and quality doing the heavy lifting. Family-sized places with three bedrooms start from the low 20,000s and climb quickly in popular school districts.
Let’s take a deeper dive into rental prices in Trondheim, how the market moves through the year, and a few local tricks for stretching your kroner without sacrificing comfort.
How the Trondheim Rental Market Works
Trondheim is a student city at heart. NTNU drives demand, especially between mid July and late September when thousands of students arrive. That seasonal rush lifts prices for small places and rooms, and the best listings are snapped up within days. From October to May the tempo slows. You will still compete for high-quality, well-located apartments, but you get more time to view and negotiate small fixes.
The market is spread across three rough categories: private landlords with one or two units, professional property managers, and student housing providers. Private landlords dominate the outer neighborhoods and the older wooden streets in the center, while larger companies tend to hold the modern blocks around Lerkendal, Sluppen, and the docks.
Typical Prices by Property Type
Use these numbers as ballpark figures, not promises. Standard, size, whether utilities are included, and the exact street matter more than the district name on the listing.
- Room in a shared flat: 5,500 to 8,500 NOK. Lower in older houses further from the center, higher in fresh renovations close to campus or Solsiden. Many rooms include internet and sometimes electricity, which helps.
- Studio or compact 1-bedroom: 10,500 to 14,000 NOK just outside the core, 12,000 to 16,000 NOK in the center, at Solsiden, or near Lerkendal in newer buildings.
- Standard 2-bedroom: 16,000 to 22,000 NOK. Balconies, parking, lifts, and modern kitchens push the price up.
- 3-bedroom family apartments or small houses: from the low 20,000s to 30,000+ NOK depending on area, garden, and parking. Detached houses in Byåsen, Ranheim, and Charlottenlund can be higher.
If the price seems far below these ranges, check the fine print for shared bathrooms, basement units with little daylight, or short-term sublets that may end just as winter starts.
Where to Live: Neighborhood Price Patterns
- Midtbyen and Solsiden: You pay for convenience. Expect the higher end of each price band. Older wooden buildings can be charming but noisy and drafty; renovated units command a premium.
- Lerkendal, Gløshaugen, and Moholt: Popular with students and young professionals. Moholt has many student-oriented blocks with predictable pricing, while streets around Lerkendal and Sluppen mix new builds with older houses.
- Tyholt and Rosenborg: Residential, with quick bus routes and walking distance to campus. Good value for rooms in shared flats, plus some quietly renovated 1-bedrooms.
- Byåsen: Leafy, hillside living with space, views, and the city tram. Family apartments and townhouses are common, often larger and priced accordingly.
- Ranheim and Charlottenlund: East of the center with sea views in places, newer developments, and good schools. You get more square meters for the price than downtown.
- Ila and Bakklandet: Postcard pretty. Expect high demand and higher prices for compact places with character.
Utilities, Internet, and What “Included” Really Means
Norwegian listings can be slippery on what is included in the monthly rent. Electricity (strøm) is the big swing item. In older buildings without shared heating, cold months will push electricity bills up. Internet often runs 400 to 700 NOK per month for a typical household. Many modern blocks include basic internet in the building fee, which the landlord may roll into the rent.
Read the listing carefully. If it says “strøm tilkommer,” electricity is extra. If it says “inkl. oppvarming,” heating costs are included, which is a win in winter. Water and municipal fees are usually included but not always spelled out.
Deposits, Contracts, and Your Rights
Norwegian tenancy rules are clear and generally tenant-friendly. Landlords can require a deposit of up to six months’ rent, and it must sit in a separate deposit account in the tenant’s name. Never transfer a deposit to a private account. Insist on a proper deposit account agreement from a Norwegian bank.
Rent increases are regulated. Annual adjustments must follow the consumer price index with at least one month’s written notice, and there is a different rule for a larger market adjustment typically allowed every three years with longer notice. If you receive a sudden jump that looks out of line, ask the landlord to show the legal basis in writing.
Seasonality: When to Start Looking
If you are arriving for studies in August, start searching in June and be ready to move quickly in July. That is peak season for rooms and small flats, and the first good option you see may be the one you should take. For families and larger units, the market is more even, but December to February can be a good time to negotiate on price or small upgrades because demand is softer and moves are less convenient in snow.
Student Housing vs Private Market
Student housing from Sit is the most predictable for price and contracts. The trade-off is less flexibility and a queue system that favors early applications. The private market gives more choice and sometimes better locations, especially if you team up with two or three friends for a larger flat.
A common strategy is to start with student housing for the first semester, learn the city, then move into a private rental with friends in January when the market is quieter.
Commuting Costs and How They Affect Value
A cheaper apartment ten minutes outside the core can be a better deal once you factor in commuting. The bus network is reliable and frequent on main corridors, and cycling is realistic from April to October if you are comfortable with hills. In winter you will want studded tires for bikes and a short walk to a main bus line. Living near a frequent bus route like the lines serving Moholt, Tyholt, or Byåsen often beats paying a premium to be right in Midtbyen.
What Drives Price Differences Between Similar Listings
Two 45 square meter 1-bedrooms can be 2,000 NOK apart for simple reasons: floor and light, a balcony, storage, an indoor bike room, and whether the apartment includes white goods. Newer blocks with lifts, sprinkler systems, and good soundproofing cost more. Ground-floor or basement units are cheaper, especially if ceiling height is tight or windows are small.
Noise matters too. Streets near nightlife in the center carry a premium for convenience but a penalty for sleep on weekend nights. If quiet is important to you, prioritize top-floor units that face courtyards.
Practical Ways to Stretch Your Budget
- Share smart: A modern 2-bedroom split two ways is often cheaper per person than two older studios. Look for equal bedroom sizes and a decent living room to keep the peace.
- Check what is included: A place that includes heating can be worth hundreds of kroner per month in winter compared with a slightly cheaper rent where you pay all electricity yourself.
- Negotiate small fixes: In the slower months, ask for a fresh coat of paint, blackout blinds, or extra storage shelving rather than a rent cut. Landlords often say yes to improvements that protect their asset.
- Be early, be tidy: Bring documentation to the viewing. A short introduction, work or study confirmation, and references help you stand out without any drama.
Viewing Etiquette and Red Flags
Arrive on time, take off your shoes, and ask direct questions: what exactly is included, average monthly electricity last winter, noise from neighbors, and when the next building maintenance is scheduled. Walk away from cash-deposit requests, unsecured “holding fees,” or keys offered without a signed contract. If a unit smells damp or you see fresh paint only on one wall, ask about previous water damage.
Families and School Districts
If schools are on your mind, Byåsen, Ranheim, and Charlottenlund are consistent picks for family rentals, with playgrounds, sports clubs, and easy access to hiking trails. Prices are higher for larger places in these areas, but you often gain outdoor space and calmer streets. Check storage for skis, strollers, and bikes, and confirm winter parking rules for your street.
Short-Term and Furnished Options
Furnished units are common for studios and 1-bedrooms and less common for family apartments. Expect to pay a small premium for fully furnished places with kitchenware and linen. For short contracts under a year, read the termination clause closely, since some furnished listings aim for corporate lets and prefer fixed terms.
Final Note on Budgeting
On top of rent, plan for a deposit tie-up, one month of double housing if you are crossing leases, and setup costs for internet and electricity if they are not included. If you keep a small buffer for the first winter’s power bills and a bus pass, you will avoid most surprises.
Trondheim rewards a bit of patience and a clear head. Decide what you care about most, whether that is a balcony with morning sun, a short walk to campus, or quiet evenings near the woods. Prices will make more sense once those priorities are set, and you will recognize a fair deal when you see it.