Sydney vs Bergen
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bergen is ~28% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Bergen
Norway
COL+Rent
50.5
Rent Index
23.9
Groceries
78.6
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Bergen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $1,214 | +$1,228 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $927 | +$895 |
| Groceries | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $22 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $75 | +$39 |
| Utilities | $171 | $156 | +$15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,584/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $2,258/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $2,867/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Bergen | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,087/mo | -$413 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,449/mo | -$551 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,174/mo | -$826 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Bergen for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bergen is approximately 28% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $1,214/month in Bergen — 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 Sydney ($483/mo) vs Bergen ($483/mo) reflect Bergen's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $22 show Sydney 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.