Haarlem vs Bergen
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Bergen is approximately 22% less expensive than Haarlem based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bergen a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bergen has a FIRE Score of 62/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75.08, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bergen is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Side by side
Best in rowNetherlands
Haarlem
Norway
Bergen
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Bergen
Bergen is a small, wet, expensive city that rewards people who can stomach the cost. A one-bedroom in the center runs $1,432/mo while the average net salary sits at $4,575/mo, so singles feel the squeeze even with a cost of living index of 93/100. The payoff is real: a safety index of 83/100, excellent healthcare, 180 Mbps internet, and an airport 2 km from town. Come for the fjords and the expat scene in Nordnes and Sandviken, but bring a salary that matches the $4,200/mo mid-range tier.
About Norway
Best for digital nomads thanks to its Independent Contractor Visa — one of few clear legal paths for remote workers in Europe. Safety Index of 67 and US Travel Advisory Level 1 mean crime rates far below most US metros, while healthcare is excellent (life expectancy 82.9 years) and English proficiency high. The catch: housing costs ($1,348 for a 1BR in city center) and a progressive tax up to 38.2% make it expensive, and the visa can lead to permanent residence.
Haarlem costs roughly 24% less than Bergen. Bergen has significantly faster average internet speeds (180 Mbps vs 70 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bergen is approximately 22% less expensive than Haarlem based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bergen a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bergen has a FIRE Score of 62/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75.08, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bergen is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Haarlem
Haarlem is the rare small city that gets the balance right: 163 thousand people, a safety index of 85/100, and a cost of living index of 75/100 against NYC, with English widely spoken and healthcare rated excellent. The catch is rent, where a one-bedroom in the center runs $1,953/mo and a three-bedroom outside it still costs $2,315/mo, so an average net salary of $4,205/mo buys comfort rather than abundance. Pick it over Amsterdam if you want a calmer base with real urban texture and can stomach Dutch weather that demands layers and rain gear year-round. Statenkwartier and Zeeheldenkwartier are where most expats land, and with a digital nomad score of 74/100 and a medium expat community, you will find your people without living in a bubble.
About Netherlands
Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.
$202/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Bergen
Bergen is a small, wet, expensive city that rewards people who can stomach the cost. A one-bedroom in the center runs $1,432/mo while the average net salary sits at $4,575/mo, so singles feel the squeeze even with a cost of living index of 93/100. The payoff is real: a safety index of 83/100, excellent healthcare, 180 Mbps internet, and an airport 2 km from town. Come for the fjords and the expat scene in Nordnes and Sandviken, but bring a salary that matches the $4,200/mo mid-range tier.
About Norway
Best for digital nomads thanks to its Independent Contractor Visa — one of few clear legal paths for remote workers in Europe. Safety Index of 67 and US Travel Advisory Level 1 mean crime rates far below most US metros, while healthcare is excellent (life expectancy 82.9 years) and English proficiency high. The catch: housing costs ($1,348 for a 1BR in city center) and a progressive tax up to 38.2% make it expensive, and the visa can lead to permanent residence.
$553/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Haarlem | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1952.92 | $1594.35 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1692.04 | $1228.07 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3187.29 | $2594.9 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2550.79 | $1895.54 |
| Safety Index | 75.63 | 75.08 |
| Internet Speed | 70Mbps | 180Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Haarlem | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,799/mo | $2,444/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,107/mo | $1,216/mo |
| Rent | $1,692/mo | $1,228/mo |
| Groceries | $260/mo | $350/mo |
| Dining out | $291/mo | $234/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $140/mo | $153/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $334/mo | $393/mo |
| Transport | $82.00/mo | $86.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Bergen? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Norway and Netherlands.
Compare visas →Explore Norway
Haarlem vs Bergen -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Bergen
Find hotels in Bergen
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Bergen
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →EU health insurance for Norway
Get comprehensive health coverage valid across Europe.
Get covered →eSIM for Bergen
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Bergen
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →