Cost of Living

Helsinki, Finland

Live cost-of-living data for Helsinki — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
40/ 10060% cheaper than New York
+19% rent since Jul 2026
$3,150/mo
Median Income
88/100
Safety
33%
Income Tax
humid continental
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
68/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,350/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$950/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,450/month
Food & Groceries
60/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.2/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.8/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.7/kg
Transportation
55/100
Monthly Transit Pass$84/month
One-Way Ticket$4/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.8/km
Utilities
50/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$140/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$35/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$28/month
Healthcare
72/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$75/visit
Dentist Visit$95/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$18/course
Education
65/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$700/month
International Primary School (yearly)$15,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$500/course
Entertainment
58/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$14/ticket
Theater Ticket$50/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
62/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$75/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$48/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$105/pair
Personal Care
52/100
Haircut (Men)$25/cut
Haircut (Women)$50/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$6.5/bottle
Dining Out
62/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$18/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$75/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$12/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,100/month
Babysitter (per hour)$18/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$25/pack
Fitness & Sports
58/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$55/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$28/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$10/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

110 Mbps
Internet Speed
$250
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
78/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Kallio, Töölö, Punavuori

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helsinki cheap to live in?

Helsinki has a cost of living index of 40/100, where New York = 100. It is 60% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,440–$2,016 per month.

How much does rent cost in Helsinki?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Helsinki costs approximately $1,350/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $950/month.

Is Helsinki good for digital nomads?

Helsinki has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 110 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $250/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Helsinki?

The median net monthly salary in Helsinki is approximately $3,150 USD. The income tax rate is around 33%.

How does Helsinki compare to New York for cost of living?

Helsinki (cost index 40) is 60% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,500/month by moving from New York to Helsinki.

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