Cost of Living in Denmark | Fulbright Denmark (2024)

Rent

Rent will most likely be the largest item in your budget. How much you will spend depends on both the type of housing and the city that you are staying in. Generally speaking, rent is higher in the larger university cities (Copenhagen and, though to a lesser extent, Aarhus) than in smaller cities (such as Odense and Aalborg). Below is a comparison of Copenhagen and Odense for reference.

Cost of Living in Denmark | Fulbright Denmark (1)

Food and groceries

Take-out is expensive in Denmark and Danes typically cook most meals at home. If you shop for groceries and cook your own meals, you can get by on approx. 250 USD/person/month, less if you are economical. You should expect to double that if you eat a lot of take-out.

Here are some examples to give you an idea of the price range in supermarkets.

1 liter (¼ gallon) of milk: $1.50 / 10 kr.
1 loaf of bread: $3 / 20 kr.
1 banana: $0.60 / 4 kr.
1 lb of dried pasta: $0.75 / 5 kr.
1 bottle of shampoo: $3 / 20 kr.

Restaurants and cafés

Below is an estimate of price levels if you’re looking to cosy up at a café with a cup of coffee or maybe eating a meal at a restaurant. Tips are appreciated but not expected, except at up-scale restaurants where a 10% tip will do. The estimates are for Copenhagen/Aarhus and you can expect to pay less in most other cities.

Main course at a mid-scale restaurant: $20-$30 /150-200 kr. excluding drinks
Coffee at a café: $4-$7 /25-45 kr.
Draft beer (0.5 liter) at a bar/café: $7-$9 /45-60 kr

School and Day Care

Most international schools and daycare institutions in Copenhagen cost $4600-$8300in annual fees per child (though some institutions offer sibling discounts). Public daycare is cheaper, and you can sign up as soon as you and your child have received your Danish social security numbers.

Transportation

Public transportation is convenient and widely used in all of Denmark. You can buy single tickets, but it is cheaper to get a travel card if traveling often. If you’re traveling by train between different parts of the country, you can get heavily discounted tickets if you buy them well in advance.

One-way metro or bus ticket (staying within city limits): $2.30 / 15 kr.
DSB one-way ticket Aarhus-Copenhagen (bought well in advance): $23 / 150 kr.

Miscellaneous

Jeans: $60 / 400 kr.
Winter coat: $120 / 800 kr.
Movie ticket: $15 / 100 kr.
Gym membership (monthly): $40 / 250 kr.
Dentist (cleaning/check-up): $90 / 600 kr.

Cost of Living in Denmark | Fulbright Denmark (2024)

FAQs

Is Denmark expensive to live in? ›

Is Denmark expensive to live in? Denmark is quite expensive to live in compared to other countries around the world when it comes to the prices of food and accommodation. However, free education and healthcare financed through taxes as well as proportionately higher salaries makes it more affordable to live here.

How much money do you need to live in Denmark? ›

Q: How much is the cost of living Copenhagen Denmark offers to International students? A: Expect a range of ₹1,20,500 to ₹2,50,000 per month for living expenses in Copenhagen. Accommodation is a major factor, with student apartments or shared housing being more affordable options.

How much is a house in Denmark in US dollars? ›

The Denmark housing market is very competitive. The median sale price of a home in Denmark was $240K last.

Is Denmark cheaper than the US? ›

The median cost of living in the second- and third-most expensive states in the U.S. is $3,155 and $3,126, respectively. That's only slightly less than the $3,176 that's needed to get by in Denmark.

Can I live in Denmark as an American? ›

U.S. citizens who plan to visit Denmark for purposes other than tourism, or who wish to remain in Denmark for more than three months, must obtain a work and/or residence permit prior to their arrival in Denmark. Applications for these permits must be submitted through a Danish Embassy or Consulate.

Can I move to Denmark without a job? ›

Immigration and the welfare state

When it comes to immigration, Denmark favors immigrants who will be able to work, pay taxes, and help maintain the welfare state. If you are over retirement age or unable to work for some other reason, it could be difficult to move to Denmark.

Is it hard to get a job in Denmark? ›

A high level of competition for many jobs, along with the fact that Danish employers often prioritise Danish workers over employees from overseas, may mean you find it difficult to secure a job at first. However, there are some things you can do to improve your prospects as an applicant in Denmark.

What is a good salary in Denmark? ›

The Danish salary is influenced by various factors, including the employee's qualifications, profession, age, and language skills, while the average salary ranges from DKK 20,000 to 40,000 per month, or between PLN 12,000 and 25,000.

How much is $100 US in Denmark? ›

US Dollars to Danish Kroner conversion rates
USDDKK
100 USD686.28 DKK
500 USD3,431.40 DKK
1,000 USD6,862.81 DKK
5,000 USD34,314.07 DKK
7 more rows

How much is $1000 USD in Denmark currency? ›

US Dollars to Danish Kroner conversion rates
USDDKK
1,000 USD6,904.10 DKK
5,000 USD34,520.54 DKK
10,000 USD69,041.09 DKK
50,000 USD345,205.45 DKK
7 more rows

Are US dollars accepted in Denmark? ›

Local currencies

The different currencies can generally not be used across the borders. In Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, Euro and US Dollars might be accepted by bigger hotel chains but they are not commonly accepted.

Does Denmark have free healthcare? ›

Danish residents have universal access to a wide range of health services free of charge.

Is it worth it to move to Denmark? ›

Denmark has a relaxed and enjoyable pace of life. It's a country which takes great care of its residents and provides a strong work-life balance. A relocation to Denmark requires planning, but is sure to be well worth it.

What is the quality of life in Denmark? ›

The Social Progress Index includes data from 128 countries on 50 indicators and this year Denmark is ranked as number 1 with a Very High Social Progress. Denmark scored the highest within: Water and Sanitation 99.87 % Nutrition and Basic Medical Care 99.28 %

Is Denmark friendly to foreigners? ›

Due to Denmark's cultural tightness, making friends with Danes as an expat can be challenging. Danes subconsciously strongly prefer behaviour that conforms to local social norms, making Danes appear reserved and cautious in their interactions with strangers.

Is moving to Denmark worth it? ›

Denmark has a relaxed and enjoyable pace of life. It's a country which takes great care of its residents and provides a strong work-life balance. A relocation to Denmark requires planning, but is sure to be well worth it.

What is the minimum wage in Denmark? ›

Minimum wage Denmark

As of 2024, there is no minimum wage in Denmark. That being the case, there are some instances where unions in some fields will negotiate a set hourly wage. There are also collective work agreements for some trades.

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