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Oslo
#101 of 124
Europe

Oslo

Norway

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Oslo compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Oslo is 61% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Oslo compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$85,735
-$187K (-69%) vs San Francisco
Based on 88 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$50,841
-$122K (-71%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 41%

Community Insights

New

Oslo offers a highly stable, low-stress environment for software engineers, prioritizing well-being over maximum wealth accumulation. While salaries are high globally, the high tax wedge and cost of living mean you likely won't save as aggressively as in the US. The tech culture is modern and egalitarian, often described as 'comfortable' rather than 'cutthroat.'

However, the 'Oslo freeze' applies to both the weather and the social scene. Expats frequently report struggling with the dark winters and the difficulty of breaking into local social circles. It is a city that rewards those who love the outdoors and a quieter, family-oriented pace of life, but punishes those seeking a fast-paced urban hustle or immediate social integration.

Resident Sentiment

Current residents express a mix of deep contentment with the lifestyle and frustration with the social barrier. Many transplants praise the 'peace of mind' and lack of workplace toxicity, often saying they 'can't imagine going back' to the stress of other tech hubs.

Conversely, a vocal minority discusses 'expat fatigue' related to the loneliness of the 'Nordic shell,' where making close Norwegian friends takes years. There is also a recurring theme of people adjusting their financial expectations; they realize they are 'rich in time and comfort' rather than 'rich in cash.'

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Pollution Score

Top 5%

#6

of 124 cities

21.9/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Top 33%

#41

of 124 cities

65.7/100

Current value

Net Income

Middle of the pack

#66

of 124 cities

$50,841/yr

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Oslo compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$8,937 / m²
11% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Oslo to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
24% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Oslo

Microsoft logo
Microsoft
Cisco logo
Cisco
Cognite logo
Cognite

The Good

  • Exceptional work-life balance with a standard 37.5-hour work week and a culture that strictly respects personal time.
  • High salaries (typically 800k-1M+ NOK for seniors) which, while taxed heavily, provide a comfortable middle-class lifestyle.
  • Very flat hierarchy in the workplace; managers are accessible and everyone's opinion is valued regardless of title.
  • Nature is on your doorstep, with easy access to skiing (cross-country and downhill) and hiking reachable by public transport.
  • English is the de facto working language in almost all tech companies, making professional integration seamless.
  • Strong social safety net including generous parental leave and subsidized childcare, making it ideal for families.
  • Overtime is generally discouraged or generously compensated (often 150% pay or time off in lieu).

The Bad

  • High cost of living and progressive taxes mean your raw purchasing power and savings potential are lower than in the US or Switzerland.
  • The rental market is fierce, often involving stressful bidding wars for standard apartments.
  • Winter darkness is a significant mental health challenge; the sun sets as early as 3:00 PM in December, leading to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for many expats.
  • Social integration is notoriously difficult; locals are polite but reserved, making it hard to form deep friendships outside of organized activities.
  • The tech scene is smaller compared to hubs like London or Berlin, offering fewer options for niche specializations or massive career leaps.
  • Eating out and alcohol are prohibitively expensive, limiting the 'nightlife' lifestyle common in other European cities.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Software engineers experiencing burnout who want to reclaim their evenings and weekends. It is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to ski or hike after work, and for families seeking a safe, child-friendly environment with excellent public services. If you value egalitarian workplaces where your voice matters more than your title, you will thrive here.

Skip it if...

Engineers strictly focused on FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) or maximizing raw net income, as the tax burden and cost of goods will frustrate you. It is also a poor fit for social butterflies who rely on spontaneous connections or a vibrant, affordable nightlife. If you suffer significantly from seasonal depression or need a fast-paced, high-pressure career ladder to feel fulfilled, you may find the city 'boring' and isolating.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather2.6/10-70% vs San Francisco
Safety66+67%
Pollution22-55%
Events0-100%
2.6/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
10°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
2°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,668h/yr-1394h/yr(-46%)
Hottest Month High
21°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
-7°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
90/yr+41/yr(+85%)

Community & Quality

Oslo community pulse

Oslo has 0 Luma events listed.

100% fewer events than San Francisco.

Home Affordability

Bottom 22%

#98

of 124 cities

≈14.1 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Purchasing Power

Bottom 20%

#101

of 124 cities

Cost of Living

Bottom 18%

#103

of 124 cities

68/100

Current value (lower is better)

Comfortable Weather

Bottom 16%

#105

of 124 cities

26/100 weather score

Current value

Community Events

Bottom 16%

#105

of 124 cities

0 events on luma

Current value

Tax Rate

Bottom 10%

#113

of 124 cities

41%

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
14.1 years
9.4 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
0/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
60%(vs 34% in San Francisco)