Bergen vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bergen is ~28% 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
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bergen | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,214 | $2,442 | $1,228 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $927 | $1,822 | $895 |
| Groceries | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $25 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $114 | $39 |
| Utilities | $156 | $171 | $15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bergen | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,584/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $2,258/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,867/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bergen | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,070/mo | +$570 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,760/mo | +$760 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,141/mo | +$1,141 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bergen vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bergen is approximately 28% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Bergen's COL+Rent Index of 50.5 vs Sydney's 69.7 (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 $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Bergen a $1,228/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,736 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bergen ($483/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Bergen's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $25 show Sydney offers cheaper dining. 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.