Cost of Living in Finland

Rent in Finland

Non-subsidised rental homes in Finland cost an average of €15.99 per m² a month in the 3rd quarter of 2026, according to Statistics Finland. At that rate a 50 m² flat would rent for about €799.50 a month (our calculation). Rents were 0.1% higher than a year earlier, so they have barely moved. Government-subsidised homes cost less, €13.51 per m² on average.

Where you live makes a big difference. Greater Helsinki averaged €20.12 per m², about 45% more than the rest of Finland at €13.91. Helsinki itself averaged €21.37, ahead of Espoo and Kauniainen (€18.86), Vantaa (€17.78) and Tampere (€16.98). Oulu (€14.19) and Jyväskylä (€14.66) were lower than the other cities in the table. Rents fell over the year in Greater Helsinki (-0.3%) and rose most in Rovaniemi (+2%) and Vaasa (+1.3%).

Statistics Finland also publishes median monthly rents by flat size for the largest cities. A 2-room flat had a median rent of €950 in Helsinki, €780 in Tampere and €665 in Oulu.

Housing costs weigh less on Finnish households than the EU average. In 2025, 4.7% of people in Finland lived in a household that spent more than 40% of its disposable income on housing, against 7.6% in the EU, according to Eurostat. Among people at risk of poverty the rate was 20.7%, against 29% in the EU.

Consumer prices and inflation

Consumer prices in Finland were 2.5% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, up from 2.2% in August, according to Statistics Finland. Without food and energy, prices rose 1.5%. Fuel drove the rise: transport was 8.9% dearer, with petrol and diesel the largest upward items, while cheaper electricity pulled the index down. Food rose 1.9% and housing and energy 1.6%.

On the harmonized EU measure, Finnish inflation was 2.7% in September, against 3.8% in the euro area. Eurostat's flash estimate for October 2026 is 3.4% for Finland and 4% for the euro area. Actual rents in the harmonized index were 0.2% lower than a year earlier, while they rose 2.6% in the euro area. In its forecast of 12 June 2026, the Bank of Finland expected inflation of 2.4% for 2026, driven by higher energy prices, falling to 1.6% in 2027 and 1.8% in 2028. It said the effect of higher energy prices was expected to be temporary.

Price levels are well above the EU average. Eurostat puts Finnish consumer prices at 126.1 in 2025, with the EU average at 100, so prices were about 26% above the EU average. Housing, water and energy stood at 123.9, clothing and footwear at 121.8, restaurants and accommodation at 121.7 and food at 107.5. The overall gap has narrowed since 2023, when the index was 129.8.

Household spending

Statistics Finland's Household Budget Survey shows where the money goes. In 2022, the average household spent €3,317 a month on consumption. Housing, water and energy took 32.4% (€1,076 a month), food 14.2% (€471) and transport 13.9% (€459). The housing figure includes the imputed rent of people who own their home. 2022 is the latest survey year.

Transport, utilities and local taxes

Household electricity cost 26.94 cents per kWh with taxes in the 1st half of 2026 for a household using 2,500 to 4,999 kWh a year, according to Eurostat. That is below the EU average of 28.32 cents, but about 20% more than in the 2nd half of 2025.

We found no official national public transport fare. In Helsinki, an adult HSL 30-day ticket for zones AB costs €73.90 in 2026 and a single ticket €3.30 in the HSL app (city figures). Municipal income tax is set by each municipality, so it depends on where a person lives. The public broadcasting tax is 2.5% of income above €15,150, up to €160 a year.

What it means for pay and hiring

Full-time employees in Finland earned a median of €3,615 a month in 2024 and an average of €4,075, according to Statistics Finland. A median 2-room flat in Helsinki, €950, is 26.3% of that national median. In Tampere it is 21.6% and in Oulu 18.4% (our calculation). Check where the person will live when you set pay: the same offer leaves noticeably less after rent in the Helsinki region. Finland has no statutory minimum wage; pay floors come from collective agreements. See average salary in Finland for pay by sector and occupation, our guide to hiring in Finland for employer costs and rules, and our cost of living in Helsinki page for the capital.

Need the right person? We do placement. We source, screen and interview remote professionals across Europe, then deliver a shortlist of 3 candidates within 21 days for a flat $6,500, or your deposit back. Prefer to run the search yourself? Post a job for $299. See how placement works or browse remote jobs in Finland.