Bergen vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bergen is ~27% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bergen
Norway
COL+Rent
50.5
Rent Index
23.9
Groceries
78.6
Restaurant
78.9
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bergen | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,214 | $2,627 | $1,413 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $927 | $2,059 | $1,132 |
| Groceries | $483 | $484 | $1 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $26 | $4 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $85 | $10 |
| Utilities | $156 | $196 | $40 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bergen | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,584/mo | $2,783/mo |
| Typical | $2,258/mo | $3,782/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,867/mo | $4,663/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bergen | ≈ in Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,064/mo | +$564 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,752/mo | +$752 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,129/mo | +$1,129 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bergen vs Los Angeles for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bergen is approximately 27% more affordable than Los Angeles when combining rent and daily living costs. Bergen's COL+Rent Index of 50.5 vs Los Angeles's 69.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Bergen costs $1,214/month versus $2,627/month in Los Angeles — giving Bergen a $1,413/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $16,956 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bergen ($483/mo) vs Los Angeles ($484/mo) reflect Bergen's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $26 show Bergen is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Bergen offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,258 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.