Finland🇫🇮

At a Glance

How Finland compares across key indices

Quality of Life206Safety74Healthcare78Affordability68Climate55Clean Air11

Cost of Living

68 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

74/100

Healthcare

78/100

Quality of Life

206/200

Climate

55/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Finland

Cost of Living

68

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

20

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

67

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

75

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $1,912 in Oulu to $2,397 in Helsinki

City Costs Comparison

Oulu

Cheapest

$1,912/mo

Food$256

Turku

$1,956/mo

Food$251

Espoo

$2,327/mo

Food$275

Helsinki

$2,397/mo

Food$258

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Finland — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

74/100

Crime Index

26/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

61/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime86
Nighttime67

19 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Drug-related crime
Low39
Property crimes
Low33
Violent crimes
Very Low22
Corruption & bribery
Very Low16

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Low27
Being physically attacked
Low26
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low23
Things stolen from car
Very Low23
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low23
Home broken into
Very Low18
Car stolen
Very Low16

Based on 1,213 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Finland

Finland has 5 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,912 in Oulu to $2,397 in Helsinki. Tampere leads on safety, scoring 79/100. Helsinki ranks highest for quality of life at 199/200.

💸Most Affordable

Oulu

$1,912/mo

Safest

Tampere

79/100

Best Quality of Life

Helsinki

199/200

Best Healthcare

Helsinki

80/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Oulu$1,912————
Turku$1,956————
Espoo$2,327————
Helsinki$2,39775/100199/20080/10013
Tampere—79/100———

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Finland

Healthcare Index

78/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment89/100
Staff Skill & Competency80/100
Accuracy & Completeness80/100
Friendliness & Courtesy75/100
Speed of Service73/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist61/100
Cost Satisfaction79/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 326 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
57.1%
Employer Sponsored
18.7%
None
13.2%
Private
11.0%
Healthcare78Safety74Quality of Life206
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Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Finland

Pollution Index

11/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality97/100
Air Quality94/100
Comfortable to Spend Time94/100
Garbage Disposal89/100
Green Spaces & Parks84/100
Clean & Tidy82/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution23/100
Water Pollution13/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 539 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Finland

Average One-Way Commute

25minutes

Short

Traffic Index

78

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

72

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

1.6kg/trip

How People Commute

Car24.6%
Bus/Trolleybus20.8%
Bicycle20.1%
Walking20.1%
Train/Metro9.1%
Tram/Streetcar2.3%
Working from Home1.9%
Motorcycle1.1%

Based on 266 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Finland, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Finland?

Finland has a cost of living index of 68 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,912 in Oulu and reach $2,397 in Helsinki.

What is the cheapest city in Finland for expats?

Oulu is the most affordable city in Finland with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,912 for a single person including rent. Turku is the next most affordable at $1,956/mo.

Is Finland safe for expats?

Finland has a safety index of 74/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Tampere scores highest on safety at 79/100.

What is the best city in Finland for expats and digital nomads?

Helsinki ranks highest for quality of life in Finland, scoring 199/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,397/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Oulu offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,912/mo.

How good is healthcare in Finland?

Finland scores 78/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Finland cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Finland's cost of living is roughly 32% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 80% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Finland?

Finland has a pollution index of 11/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Finland

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