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Are you considering a move to Helsinki, Finland, and wondering about the cost of living? Helsinki is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Helsinki and help you understand whether $2835 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $3260.26.
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
15.2 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
93.35 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
10.58 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
8.68 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
8.68 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
4.71 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
2.78 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
1.87 $ |
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.16 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
2.87 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
2.52 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
3.29 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
8.36 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
11.51 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
21.87 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.48 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.77 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
2.19 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
4.14 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.25 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
1.76 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.07 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
1.81 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
14.65 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.97 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.45 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
10.85 $ |
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
3.36 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
75.98 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
7.54 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.3 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
57.74 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
2.13 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
35265.58 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
36971.51 $ |
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
108.83 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
20.75 $ |
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
41.39 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
29.24 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
16.77 $ |
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
362.95 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
7535.91 $ |
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
86.37 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
33.94 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
78.33 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
101.41 $ |
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
1060.52 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
865.06 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1930.07 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
1376.29 $ |
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
7695.02 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
4689.89 $ |
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
3260.26 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
2.48 % |
|
The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 15.2 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 93.35 USD.
Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.16 USD, a loaf of bread 2.87 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 3.29 USD.
Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 3.36 USD and a monthly pass around 75.98 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.
For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 108.83 USD.
For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 41.39 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 29.24 USD.
Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 362.95 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 7535.91 USD.
Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 86.37 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 78.33 USD.
Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 1060.52 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 865.06 USD.
If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 7695.02 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 4689.89 USD.
The average monthly net salary here is about 3260.26 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 2.48% annually.
The monthly expenses for living in Helsinki come to a total of approximately $2835. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1060 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $119 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $927 per month.
Living in Helsinki appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $3260.26. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Helsinki, you would likely need an income exceeding $3260.26.
In Helsinki, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $3260.26, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Helsinki is approximately $1060. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $865.06 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Helsinki can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $641 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Finland can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Finland.
Helsinki, Finland
The safety index proves the fact that Helsinki is one of the safest cities in Europe. Some of the possible risks are pickpockets in crowds and drunken people trying to start a fight. It is even safe during the nighttime and getting mugged for money in the streets has rarely been reported.
Public transport in Helsinki may be unsafe, because pickpockets may be found there. During winter roads become more dangerous because of the ice and driving can be difficult. Snow tires are obligatory from 1st December to 28th February.
Taking into account the fact that more than 3.5 million tourists visit Helsinki yearly a huge amount of people makes pickpocketing easy. Central railway station and Kamppi shopping center should be avoided. The tourists are the most frequent victims because they have valuables, passports, and money with them.
There are no threats of serious natural hazards. The only problem might be a long and very cold winter. All visitors are advised to bring proper clothes.
Finland is a very safe country in terms of violent crime, and being kidnapped or mugged is very unlikely here. Anyway, there might be situations in Helsinki when you might become a victim, so remain precautious.
Finland is not the country where terrorists might attack, but that can never be said for sure since the global threat exists. As long as tourists pay attention to any suspicious activity, they will remain safe. In case it happens, just follow the advice of authorities and local guides.
Scams are not frequent on the streets of Helsinki and drink spiking is not common, but you should not accept drinks from strangers. In case you have to pay a fine, you should know that Finnish police do not ask for a cash payment, so do not believe a person pretending to be a police officer who asks for money.
Women travelers are trouble-free when it comes to Helsinki since it is a very safe city and there were almost no records of women being assaulted.
A visa to Finland is not obligatory for people staying there for a maximum of 3 months. A valid passport is enough documentation. However, for longer staying, you will need to have a visa.
The Euro is the official currency of Finland. You will need to exchange your currency and the best solution to do that is in banks and currency exchange kiosks at the airport or in the shopping centers. Finland is an expensive country and accommodation is not cheap, but you can be sure that it is of a very high standard.
Finland is considered a cold country about some other European countries. Even summers are very cool with the average temperature between 15-20°C. In some parts of the country, winter temperature can fall below 40°C. Winters in Helsinki are dark and freezing. Due to the weather condition, the best time to visit it is summer.
Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, which is located in Vantaa, 18 kilometers from the city center, has become crowded since it is the main hub of most journeys to Finland. It is one of the busiest airports in the world since about 90% of Finland's air traffic goes via Helsinki Airport.
If you’re visiting Finland, a travel insurance policy should be obtained since you can never know whether medical treatment will become necessary during your trip.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 29°F | 28°F | 35°F | 46°F | 57°F | 65°F | 70°F | 67°F | 58°F | 48°F | 38°F | 32°F |
| Temp | 24°F | 23°F | 29°F | 39°F | 50°F | 58°F | 64°F | 61°F | 52°F | 43°F | 35°F | 29°F |
| Low | 19°F | 18°F | 23°F | 32°F | 41°F | 49°F | 55°F | 52°F | 45°F | 37°F | 30°F | 24°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | -1°C | -2°C | 1°C | 7°C | 13°C | 18°C | 21°C | 19°C | 14°C | 8°C | 3°C | 0°C |
| Temp | -4°C | -5°C | -1°C | 3°C | 10°C | 14°C | 17°C | 16°C | 11°C | 6°C | 1°C | -1°C |
| Low | -7°C | -7°C | -5°C | 0°C | 5°C | 9°C | 12°C | 11°C | 7°C | 2°C | -1°C | -4°C |