Bergen is a compact, sea-facing city with mountains on all sides, famous for rain, student life, and a cozy wooden-house charm that sneaks up on you. Renting here can feel competitive during peak seasons, but once you learn the rhythms of the market and where the Bybanen light rail runs, it becomes much simpler to find a good home base.
If you are wondering what it costs to rent an apartment in Bergen in 2025, the short answer is this: a typical one-bedroom apartment in or near the city center usually ranges from about 12,000 to 18,000 NOK per month, while rooms in shared flats often land between 5,500 and 9,000 NOK, depending on location and condition. Larger family apartments can run from the low 20,000s to 30,000 NOK or more. Utilities are often additional, so plan for that.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of renting in Bergen, including concrete price examples, what to look for at viewings, and the neighborhoods that fit different lifestyles.
How the Bergen rental market works
Bergen’s rental stock is a mix of classic wooden houses split into flats, post-war apartment blocks, and newer developments along the light rail corridor. Students from the University of Bergen, NHH, and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences add strong seasonal demand. Listings tend to appear year-round, but July to September is the busiest time, with competition highest for budget-friendly studios and rooms.
Most rentals are advertised digitally and move quickly. You will typically attend a visning viewing, then send a short application introducing yourself, your employment or study situation, and suggested start date. Expect to sign a standard tenancy agreement and pay a refundable deposit, commonly equal to 3 months’ rent placed in a separate deposit account. Some landlords ask for a rent guarantee as an alternative, but a deposit account is the usual route.
What does an apartment in Bergen cost in 2025
Prices vary by neighborhood, flat size, and standard. The examples below reflect typical asking rents you will see this year. They are examples, not quotes, but they give a realistic planning baseline.
Studios and small 1-bedrooms
- Bergenhus, Nordnes, Sentrum: 14,000 to 18,000 NOK
- Sandviken, Møhlenpris, Nygård: 12,000 to 16,000 NOK
- Årstad, Kronstad, Danmarksplass: 11,000 to 15,000 NOK
- Laksevåg, Fyllingsdalen: 10,500 to 14,000 NOK
- Åsane, Fana, Nesttun area: 11,000 to 15,500 NOK
Two-bedroom apartments
- Central areas like Sentrum, Nordnes, Sandviken: 17,000 to 24,000 NOK
- Årstad, Laksevåg, Fyllingsdalen, Åsane: 15,000 to 21,000 NOK
Three-bedroom and larger family flats
- Central or high-demand areas: 22,000 to 30,000+ NOK
- Suburban locations with good transit: 19,000 to 26,000 NOK
Rooms in shared flats
- City center and student hotspots: 6,500 to 9,000 NOK
- Outside the core but near the light rail: 5,500 to 7,500 NOK
If you want a balcony, newer kitchen and bath, or bundled parking, you will typically pay more. Views and top-floor locations also add to the price.
Neighborhoods at a glance
Sentrum and Nordnes
Walk-to-everything living with cafés, the harbor, and cultural life right outside your door. Apartments are often in older buildings with character. Expect smaller floor plans and higher prices.
Sandviken
Colorful wooden houses climbing the hillside and quick access to hiking. It feels local yet close to the center. Popular with students and young professionals.
Møhlenpris and Nygård
Buzzing student energy, parks, sports facilities, and an easy stroll to campus areas. Housing ranges from cozy older flats to updated apartments in mid-size blocks.
Årstad and Kronstad
Excellent transit with the Bybanen Lines 1 and 2, strong value for the space, and a mix of new and older buildings. Danmarksplass is a practical hub with shops and gyms.
Laksevåg
Across the harbor from downtown, with increasing development and a good range of prices. Commute times are reasonable, and you can find larger units.
Fyllingsdalen
Served by the newer Bybanen line, offering solid value and modern buildings. Good choice if you want more space and a calmer feel.
Åsane
North of the center with shopping hubs and many family-friendly options. Bus links are frequent. Larger apartments are common.
Fana and Nesttun
Green suburban vibe with light rail access, schools, and amenities. Popular for families seeking more space without losing transit convenience.
Furnished or unfurnished, and what is included
In Norway, unfurnished often still includes kitchen appliances like stove and fridge, sometimes a dishwasher and washing machine. Furnished means you should be able to move in with a suitcase. Ask specifically what is included, because standards vary.
Utilities are usually separate. Budget for:
- Electricity strøm that can swing by season. A small flat might average 800 to 1,500 NOK per month over the year.
- Internet typically 400 to 700 NOK per month, depending on speed.
- Home contents insurance innboforsikring around 100 to 200 NOK per month for a basic policy.
Some buildings have shared costs like stairwell cleaning or waste fees included in the rent; others list them separately as felleskostnader. Always clarify.
Deposits, contracts, and your rights
A standard 3-month deposit is common. It must be held in a separate deposit account in your name, not given in cash to the landlord. You earn small interest on it, and it cannot be touched during the tenancy unless both parties agree or a formal decision is made.
Leases often run for a fixed term with a 3-month notice period as a default. Read the notice and termination clauses carefully. Normal wear and tear is your right; you cannot be charged for the everyday aging of paint and floors. Inspect and document the condition at move-in with photos.
Pets vary by landlord and building rules. If you have a pet, mention it openly in your application and ask for approval in writing.
How to apply and stand out
Prepare a short introduction that covers who you are, work or study details, monthly income, preferred move-in date, and length of stay. Bring or be ready to share:
- Photo ID and residency details
- Work contract or admission letter
- Payslips or funding documentation
- References if you have them
Norwegian landlords appreciate straightforward communication and clear plans. If you can attend the viewing on time and follow up quickly, you will often beat slower competition.
Viewings in a rainy city: what to check
Bergen’s climate is beautiful for waterfalls but tough on buildings. At a visning, look and ask about:
- Ventilation in bathroom and kitchen
- Signs of moisture around windows, corners, and basement storage rooms
- Sound insulation especially in older wooden houses
- Laundry setup in-unit machine or shared facilities
- Storage bod space is very useful for outdoor gear
- Bicycle parking if you ride
- Heating type panel heaters, heat pump, or district heating affect bills
If the flat feels damp or musty, trust your nose and move on.
Where to find rentals
Most tenants use the large national listing portals and student-focused platforms, plus local Facebook groups. Good places get multiple applications quickly, so set alerts and respond the same day a promising listing appears. If you are already in town, walking the neighborhood and checking physical notice boards can still uncover hidden gems.
Concrete price examples and monthly budgets
To help with planning, here are realistic examples for 2025. These are representative, not guarantees, but they mirror what locals sign for every week.
Example A: Central 1-bedroom in Sandviken
- Rent: 15,500 NOK
- Electricity average over a year: 1,100 NOK
- Internet: 550 NOK
- Home contents insurance: 150 NOK
- Total monthly budget: 17,300 NOK
- Deposit on signing typically: 46,500 NOK 3 months
Example B: Room in a 3-person shared flat in Møhlenpris
- Rent: 7,200 NOK
- Share of electricity: 400 to 700 NOK season dependent
- Internet split: 200 NOK
- Home contents insurance: 120 NOK
- Total monthly budget: about 8,000 NOK
Example C: Two-bedroom near Danmarksplass with light rail
- Rent: 18,500 NOK
- Electricity average: 1,300 NOK
- Internet: 600 NOK
- Home contents insurance: 180 NOK
- Total monthly budget: 20,580 NOK
- Deposit on signing typically: 55,500 NOK
Example D: Family-sized 3-bedroom in Åsane
- Rent: 23,500 NOK
- Electricity average: 1,600 NOK
- Internet: 600 NOK
- Home contents insurance: 200 NOK
- Total monthly budget: 25,900 NOK
If parking is essential, add 800 to 1,800 NOK monthly depending on location. A private garage can cost more.
Timing your search
If you can avoid August and early September, you will feel less pressure. Spring is a sweet spot for families changing homes, which opens more three-bedroom options. For students, applying early to student housing can stabilize your budget, then you can move to the private market later if you want a different neighborhood.
Student housing and short-term rentals
Students should look at the official student housing provider first to compare costs. Private rooms near campus are plentiful, but peak season can be frantic. For short-term stays, serviced apartments and sublets fill gaps, though you will pay a premium. Always insist on a written agreement for any sublet and confirm that the landlord has approved it.
Local tips from someone who grew up here
Bring a good drying rack and look for a place with either a covered balcony or adequate indoor drying space. In our climate, that matters. A heat pump varmepumpe can reduce winter electricity costs noticeably in larger units. If you love hiking, living near the foothills of Fløyen or Sandviksfjellet will change your everyday life. If you live farther out, make sure you are within a short walk of a Bybanen stop or frequent bus line. Bergen is compact, but hills and weather add real minutes to a commute.
Checklist before you sign
- Confirm what is included in the rent in writing
- Clarify deposit account details before transferring funds
- Note the notice period and any rent adjustment terms
- Document the condition of the flat on day one
- Set up electricity and internet immediately after key handover
With clear expectations, a bit of flexibility on location, and quick follow-up after viewings, finding a good apartment in Bergen is very doable. Use the examples above to build your budget, target a few neighborhoods that match your lifestyle, and you will land on a place that makes rainy days feel like part of the charm.