Oxford vs Bergen
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Bergen is approximately 42% less expensive than Oxford 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 rowUnited Kingdom
Oxford
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.
Oxford costs roughly 25% less than Bergen. Bergen 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 42% less expensive than Oxford 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 Oxford
Oxford is a small, safe, and famously walkable city, and the numbers back that up: a safety index of 85/100, a crime index of 15/100, and a cost of living index of 74/100 against NYC. The catch is housing, where a city center one-bedroom runs $2,260/mo and a three-bedroom hits $3,251/mo, steep enough that a single adult on the local average net salary of $3,987/mo will feel the squeeze. It suits digital nomads and academics far more than families chasing space, though a family of four should budget $4,146/mo excluding rent before signing anything. Come for the English proficiency, the 200 Mbps internet, and the 8 km hop to LHR; stay only if you can stomach the rent.
About United Kingdom
No retirement visa exists, and a difficult residency and citizenship path rules out anyone seeking a straightforward move. Rent near $1,344/mo plus 20% basic, 40% higher, 45% additional income tax bites hard. This fits Americans with UK ancestry, employer transfers, or high earners who value large expat networks and English-language ease over affordability.
$230/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 | Oxford | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2259.66 | $1594.35 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1681.53 | $1228.07 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3250.73 | $2594.9 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2563.59 | $1895.54 |
| Safety Index | 63 | 75.08 |
| Internet Speed | 200Mbps | 180Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Oxford | Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,772/mo | $2,444/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,090/mo | $1,216/mo |
| Rent | $1,682/mo | $1,228/mo |
| Groceries | $181/mo | $350/mo |
| Dining out | $245/mo | $234/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $135/mo | $153/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $421/mo | $393/mo |
| Transport | $108/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 United Kingdom.
Compare visas →Explore Norway
Oxford 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 →