Meilen vs Bergen
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Bergen is approximately 66% less expensive than Meilen 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.
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Best in rowSwitzerland
Meilen
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.
Bergen costs roughly 25% less than Meilen. Meilen scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bergen is approximately 66% less expensive than Meilen 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 Meilen
Meilen is a small, safe, and clean lakeside town where the numbers simply do not add up for most newcomers. A single adult needs roughly $3,976/mo for a mid-range life, and a one-bedroom in the center runs $2,640/mo, yet the average net salary of $8,160/mo makes that math workable only if you arrive with a Swiss job or serious savings. The expat score of 59/100 and limited English tell the real story: this is a place for quiet, well-funded retirees and remote workers who prize an 85/100 safety index over a social scene. If you want a small town with excellent healthcare and a 22 air quality index, Meilen delivers, but the $120 mid-range dinner for two and $6 cappuccino are the price of admission.
About Switzerland
Only wealthy, financially independent retirees 55+ should look here: the retirement visa exists, but at CHF 2100/mo income minimum against rent alone hitting $2,030/mo in city centers, this filters out anyone not already comfortable. Safety (73.5) and healthcare (71.5) are excellent trade-offs for top combined rates that can reach around 45% in higher-tax cantons and difficult citizenship path. Bad fit: digital nomads (no visa), budget seekers, or anyone wanting an easy path to permanent residency.
$-1,038/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?
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| Metric | Meilen | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2639.93 | $1594.35 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2519.93 | $1228.07 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3959.9 | $2594.9 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $4001.9 | $1895.54 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 75.08 |
| Internet Speed | 120Mbps | 180Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Meilen | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $4,043/mo | $2,444/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,523/mo | $1,216/mo |
| Rent | $2,520/mo | $1,228/mo |
| Groceries | $452/mo | $350/mo |
| Dining out | $330/mo | $234/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $250/mo | $153/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $332/mo | $393/mo |
| Transport | $159/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.
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