Seattle vs Bergen
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bergen is ~25% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seattle
United States
COL+Rent
67.7
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
82.2
Restaurant
86.5
Bergen
Norway
COL+Rent
50.5
Rent Index
23.9
Groceries
78.6
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seattle | Bergen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,553 | $1,214 | +$1,339 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,001 | $927 | +$1,074 |
| Groceries | $471 | $483 | $12 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $22 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $83 | $75 | +$8 |
| Utilities | $191 | $156 | +$35 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seattle | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,705/mo | $1,584/mo |
| Typical | $3,673/mo | $2,258/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,525/mo | $2,867/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seattle | ≈ in Bergen | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,119/mo | -$381 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,492/mo | -$508 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,238/mo | -$762 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seattle vs Bergen for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bergen is approximately 25% more affordable than Seattle when combining rent and daily living costs. Seattle's COL+Rent Index of 67.7 vs Bergen's 50.5 (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 Seattle costs $2,553/month versus $1,214/month in Bergen — giving Bergen a $1,339/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $16,068 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seattle ($471/mo) vs Bergen ($483/mo) reflect Bergen's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $22 show Bergen 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.