London vs Bergen on £50,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of £50,000 a year, a single employee takes home £3,293 a month in London (79% of gross) and NOK 39,977 a month in Bergen on the equivalent NOK 636,000 (75%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Bergen is 25% cheaper than London overall (cost-of-living index 58.9 vs 78.9, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about NOK 13,670 a month in Bergen and £2,145 in London, which leaves NOK 26,306 and £1,149 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about NOK 26,577 a month in Bergen — this salary leaves NOK 13,400 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 36% more in Bergen than in London, eating out 15% more and rent 54% less.
| London | Bergen | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | £50,000 | NOK 636,000 |
| Take-home pay per month | £3,293 | NOK 39,977 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | £2,145 | NOK 13,670 |
| Left after rent | £1,149 | NOK 26,306 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 78.9 | 58.9 |
How each figure is taxed: United Kingdom tax calculator and Norway tax calculator; prices: cost of living in London. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about London vs Bergen
Is Bergen, Norway more expensive than London, United Kingdom?
Bergen, Norway is 25% cheaper than London, United Kingdom overall. On a gross salary of £50,000 a year, you take home £3,293 a month in London, United Kingdom and kr39,977 a month in Bergen, Norway after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Bergen, Norway vs London, United Kingdom?
Keeping the same standard of living as in London, United Kingdom, you could save about kr13,400 a month (kr160,796 a year) in Bergen, Norway on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Norway vs United Kingdom?
On £50,000 gross a year you take home £3,293 a month in United Kingdom and kr39,977 a month in Norway. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.