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Cost of Living in Helsinki

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland · Population 1,360,075 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Finland average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€1,150 ($1,250)
Couple, monthly€2,077 ($2,257)
Family of four, monthly€2,719 ($2,956)

Estimated Prices in Helsinki

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€11.12 ($12.09)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€44.49 ($48.36)per meal
Cappuccino€3.34 ($3.63)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€252 ($274)per month
Monthly public transport pass€40.78 ($44.33)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€108 ($117)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€31.14 ($33.85)per month
Fitness club membership€31.14 ($33.85)per month
Cinema ticket€8.16 ($8.87)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€587 ($639)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€409 ($444)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,226 ($1,333)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Helsinki is €3,827 ($4,160) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,150 ($1,250) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,495 ($1,625) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€409 ($444)) represents about 36% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Helsinki

Helsinki vs TampereHelsinki vs EspooHelsinki vs VantaaHelsinki vs OuluHelsinki vs TurkuHelsinki vs Jyväskylä

Nearby Cities

Kauniainen

12 km away · Uusimaa

Vantaa

15 km away · Uusimaa

Espoo

16 km away · Uusimaa

Kivistö

17 km away · Uusimaa

Klaukkala

26 km away · Uusimaa

Tuusula

26 km away · Uusimaa

Kerava

27 km away · Uusimaa

Kirkkonummi

28 km away · Uusimaa

Other Major Cities in Finland

Tampere

Pirkanmaa · pop. 369,233

€921 ($1,001) / mo

Espoo

Uusimaa · pop. 325,716

€921 ($1,001) / mo

Vantaa

Uusimaa · pop. 248,199

€865 ($940) / mo

Oulu

Pohjois-Pohjanmaa · pop. 217,469

€865 ($940) / mo

Turku

Varsinais-Suomi · pop. 209,633

€865 ($940) / mo

Jyväskylä

Keski-Suomi · pop. 149,895

€865 ($940) / mo

Kuopio

Pohjois-Savo · pop. 126,572

€865 ($940) / mo

Lahti

Päijät-Häme · pop. 121,832

€865 ($940) / mo

Living in Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital and one of the key cities in Finland. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,150 ($1,250), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €409 ($444) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,719 ($2,956) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €2,077 ($2,257) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Helsinki is €3,827 ($4,160). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,495 ($1,625) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helsinki expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €1,150 ($1,250) per month in Helsinki including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Finland.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Helsinki?
A net salary of around €1,495 ($1,625) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Helsinki with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Helsinki is €3,827 ($4,160).
How much is rent in Helsinki?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €587 ($639) per month in the city centre and €409 ($444) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,226 ($1,333).
Is Helsinki cheaper than Finland on average?
No — Helsinki is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Finland average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Helsinki?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €252 ($274) in Helsinki. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €11 ($12) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($4).
How do transport costs in Helsinki compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Helsinki is estimated at €41 ($44). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Helsinki are estimates based on Finland national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,360,075) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.