Finland has been ranked number 1 in the World Happiness Index from 2018 to 2022. The country has an excellent reputation for upholding people’s civil liberties, ensuring safety, and its population experiences a high quality of life. Finland’s countryside is stunning and can be enjoyed all year, especially by people who enjoy snow sports.
If you are considering moving to Finland, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Finland Facts:
- Population: 5,561,110 (October 2022 estimate)
- Official Language:Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages in Finland along with other officially recognised minority languages like Romani, Sami, Karelian, and Finnish Sign Language.
- GDP Per Capita: USD53,982.61 (2021)
- Coffee: Finns hold top place when it comes to coffee drinkers around the world – they use 12.5kg of coffee beans per capita.
- Currency: Euro (€). As of 2022, €1 = $1.03 (USD), £0.87, $1.38 (CAD), $1.55 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Finland
Here are some sample container shipping rates to Finland from other countries around the world.
Also see: 4 Best International Moving Companies in Finland
2. Finland Housing Costs
Property rentals are in high demand in Finland but are much more affordable than the majority of first world countries. The renting process is quick and easy but
Monthly Rental Prices in Finland
- 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre: €600.00 – €1,200.00
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the city centre: €500.00 – €940.00
- 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre: €850.00 – €2,002.94
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre: €700.00 – €1,500.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in the city centre: €2,500.00 – 10,000.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the city centre: €1,500.00 –€5,500.00
Source: Numbeo
Finland Housing Cost Comparison
Below is how rents in Finland compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 5.12% more expensive
United States is 114.64% more expensive
Canada is 54.86% more expensive
Australia is 59.37% more expensive
France is 13.88% more expensive
Spain is 3.06% cheaper
Italy is 8.23% cheaper
Germany is 16.97% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Sharing a room or flat with a roommate or flatmate is a good option to save money. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flatmate: Erasmusu, Just Landed, HOAS, OK Roommateand Housing Anywhere.
- Different areas – different prices. Buying and renting property in Finland isn’t as expensive as the majority of countries in the EU. If you are planning on staying in Finland for a few years Helsinki and is perfect if you enjoy living in a big city. Espoo is situated on the outskirts of Helsinki and is a favourite area for students due to the lower rents. Rovaniemi is a small city with a fantastic winter sport culture and cheaper than Helsinki and it’s only 10kms from the Arctic Circle. Great for those in hospitality. Turku, the original capital of Finland, is a lovely city and affordable. Tempere, Savonlinna and Oolu are also beautiful cities and much cheaper than Helsinki.
3. Finland Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Finland is a popular tourist destination and has restaurants and supermarkets offering food from most countries around the globe. Soups and casseroles are extremely popular in both Finnish homes and restaurants, with salmon soup being the number one favourite. Rye breads, pastries, fish, meat pies and fried venison are also popular foods.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: €9.00 – €20.00
- Domestic beer: €4.00 – €8.00
- Coke/Pepsi: €1.65 – €3.50
- 1L of milk: €0.69 – €1.30
- Loaf of Bread: €1.10 – €4.50
- 12 Eggs: €1.40 – €3.60
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: € 5.00 – €13.00
- 1kg Beef: €7.00 – €25.55
- 1kg Apples: €0.99 – €3.50
- 1kg White Rice: €1.00 – €3.55
Source: Numbeo
Below are how food prices and restaurants compare with other major countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 12% cheaper than and groceries are 16.00% cheaper than in Finland.
- United State restaurants are 26% cheaper than and groceries are 26.48% more expensive than in Finland.
- Canada restaurants are 42% cheaper than and groceries are 15.12% more expensive than in Finland.
- Australia restaurants are 71% cheaper than and groceries are 24.65% more expensive than in Finland.
- France restaurants are 20% cheaper and groceries are 12.11% more expensive than in Finland.
- Spain restaurants are08% cheaper and groceries are 29.29% cheaper than in Finland.
- Italy restaurants are 35% cheaper and groceries are 10.09% cheaper than in Finland.
- Germanyrestaurants are78% cheaper and groceries are 12.98% cheaper than in Finland.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Finland has many supermarkets and independently owned stores as well as farmers’ markets selling wild reindeer meat, salmon, seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses and freshly baked organic bread. Popular supermarkets in Finland are KESKO Market, Turku Kauppahalli Market, Fredrikintori Flea Market, Hietalathi Market Square and Hakaniemi Flea Market.
- Find Cheap Eats:Food and restaurants in Finland are expensive but, if you do your homework, you’ll find affordable restaurants to eat at. Have a look at the following sites for suggestions– Wanderlog, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Visit Finland, and Rovaniemi Finland.
4. Finland Alcohol Costs
Finns enjoy alcohol and have a wide range of spirits and liqueurs which are guaranteed to keep you warm in the coldest weather. Spirits and wine and beer over 5.5% ABV are only available at Alko, a government owned chain.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: €4.50 – €9.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: €4.00 – €8.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: €1.52 – €3.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: €1.70 – €4.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: €9.00 – €17.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Finland
- Websites, flyers and newspapers can be helpful in tracing where to find drinks that won’t break the bank. You can also ask locals where they would recommend.
- Many bars and restaurants have happy hours – 4pm until 9pm or 10pm until 12am, especially those near universities and colleges. Fisken Pa Disken, Hard Rock Café, Juuri, Vltava, and the Clarion Hotel in Helsinki all have happy hours from Monday to Saturday. Have a look at the following sites for more tips on where to go to save money on a night out – YELP, Pretty Wild World, Metropolitan, Top-Rated Old Irish Pub,and Visit Finland.
5. Finland Transportation Fares
Finland is known for its excellent public transport system with an extensive railway, government-regulated bus and taxi service, trams and underground transport system. The public transport in the country is efficient, affordable, safe, reliable, and always on time.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport: €2.70 – € 3.70
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): € 50.00 – €65.30
- Taxi start (normal tariff): €5.00 – €9.80
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): €1.00 – €2.00
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Buy a visitor’s day ticket or a season ticket for public transport (bus, tram, metro, train, and Suomenlinna ferry) if you are a regular traveller.
- Download apps like HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) for greater convenience.
- City Bikes (Bicycles) are seasonally available that can be excellent options to save money.
- Uber in Finland offers a lower price than taxis.
6. Cost of Internet in Finland
Finland has reliable internet at a reasonable price. Finland ISPs don’t impose data caps like other countries. Below are some sample 2022 broadband internet prices for unlimited downloads in Finland.
- Starlink SpaceX– €79.05/Mo for 200 Mbit/s
- Welho-DNA– €27.76/Mo for 350 Mbit/s
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Due to its geographical position, Finland experiences extremes in temperature. The highest temperature recorded is 37.2C. and the coldest is -51.5C. The country has three distinct regions when it comes to weather. The north-eastern area of Lapland is snow-covered for six months of the year, whereas those in the south, Helsinki for example, often don’t get the white Christmas they hope for. Finland’s summer is short and brings the famed mosquitos and midges with it. The average rainfall in the country is between 600 to 700 mm.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: €50.00 – €110.00
- Summer Dress: €20.00 – €60.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): €50.00 – €101.00
- Business Shoes: €70.00 – €180.00
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): €113
- Deodorant: €3.09
- Shampoo: €3.49
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): €1.78
- Gym membership per month: €20.00 – €55.95
- Movie (cinema) ticket: €12.00 – €17.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Finland
Finland’s public transport system is one of the best in the world, but Finns still enjoy the freedom that owning a car brings. All vehicles must be registered and inspected and be fully insured. Driving in Finland with a foreign licence is permitted for up to one year after which you must get a Finnish driving licence. Have a look at Ajokortti-info for information on driving licences and driving in general.
Below are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Finland:
- Volkswagen Golf:€24,000.00-€30,000.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):€2.00 -€2.45
- Other fees (if any):Car owners must pay vehicle tax to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The annual cost of owning and driving a car comes to between €1,700 to €3,300, without depreciation. However, with depreciation, the cost may go up to €7,800. Driving licences in Finland cost €24 for the DL fee, €40 for the theory test, €99 for the Category B vehicle driving test.
Source: Numbeo and Epicautokoulu.
Ways to save money driving in Finland
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try KYYDT, 24-Go, FI, Rideshare, and App Scrip.
- Taxis can be a cheaper option, especially if you are parking all day. Try Uberand Ride Guru.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Finland? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Finland
As an expat in Finland, you are required to pay tax on your Finnish source of income. Tax rates in Finland are 35% on employment and 30% on dividends. For details see Tax Summaries. The VAT rate in the country is 24% on taxable goods and services.
If you own a property or land, you are required to pay property tax depending on the region or municipality where the property is located. Property tax can range from between 0.41% to 2.0% of the taxable value of the property. For details, see Tax Summaries.
10. Flight Costs from Finland
If you do make the move to Finland, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2022:
- London: €43
- Paris: €57
- New York: €495
- Los Angeles: €877
- Toronto: €440
- Dubai: €360
- Sydney: €1,018
- Melbourne: €1,010
- Cape Town: €516
- Hong Kong: €443
Other Finland Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Finland. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Finland Alone
Moving abroad is always stressful but moving alone can be exceptionally difficult. Finland has a lot offer everyone and has a large expat population so you’ll soon find your feet. Below are a few tips on settling in Finland.
- Meetups:connect with like-minded souls through Meetup to participate in a wide range of activities in Finland from skiing to sailing.
- Attend local events: Finns enjoy life and make the most of every season. They love competitions such as ‘how far can you throw a milking stool’ or ‘air guitar competition. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – TripAdvisor, Visit Finland, Green Views Residential, The Culture Trip,and Rick Steves.
12. Moving to Finland with a Family
Moving abroad with a family is exciting but has many challenges. However, Finland has a lot to attract families. There are amusement parks, national parks, music, the beach, the northern lights and, of course, the snow.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Check out Familiary, QZ, Moms in Prayer, Future Code, and Compass Psychology for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents.
- Live in a family friendly area:It depends on where you want to live but if you are interested in the capital city, then the Kallio district in Helsinki is perfect for you. Other suggested family-friendly areas are Rovaniemi the capital of Lapland, Turku, Savonlinna, and Oulu.
- Find things to do with the kids:Finland has many things for children to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Visit Nordic, Trip Advisor, The Culture Trip, Inspirock and Her Finland.
13. Moving to Finland for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
The public sector in Finland is the largest employer in Finland with jobs available in social and healthcare services, education, transport and maintenance. The hospitality and tourism industry, IT and the customer service sector also good areas to look for employment.
Below are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: Salaries in Finland are excellent. You can find expected salaries for your profession on Glassdoor and Trading Economics.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Finland, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start : Info Finland, Linkedin, Visa Guide, Internationsand Prospects. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Finland from Australia
Australians enjoy visiting Finland and a good number of Australians are living there. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Finland, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is 23 times bigger than Finland. The population of Australia is 25,890,773 whereas the population of Finland is 5,561,110.
- Join expat groups: Connect with fellow Australians in Finland through MeetUp, Internationsand Facebook.
15. Moving to Finland from Canada
Finland hosts a small number of Canadians. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size:Canada is 30 times bigger than Finland. The population of Canada is 38,929,902 whereas the population of Finland is 5,561,110.
- Expat groups:Connecting with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as Internations and MeetUp.
16. Moving to Finland from the United Kingdom
Around 5,000 Brits live in Finland and many of these have Finnish citizenship. if you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: Finland is 1,4 times bigger than the UK, but the population of the UK is 68,730,050 whereas the population of Finland is 5,561,110.
- Expat groups:If you want to connect with others from the UK who are enjoying the weather, then meet them through Internations and MeetUp.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Finland you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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