Although Copenhagen is a major city—not to mention the capital city of Denmark—there's no denying that it's not at the level of the likes of Paris, Rome, London, and more. This isn't to say that the city lacks in any way, but in terms of prominence and popularity, the aforementioned cities clearly have the upper hand. That doesn't, however, affect the way of living here in Copenhagen. And definitely not the living costs too. It's no secret that Denmark is a well-off country so it's to be expected that its capital city can be pretty pricey. But just how expensive is it to be here?
Costs of Renting in Copenhagen
Considering that, according to
Denmark's job market, the average employee earns around DKK 43,487.00 a month before taxes, it's safe to say that the common rental fees in Copenhagen are more or less on the high side. The most expensive you'll find is around DKK 25,000.00 per month for a three-bedroom apartment at the heart of the city, amounting to more than half of a person's gross monthly salary. Meanwhile, the common rental fees for a one-bedroom home range from DKK 5,500.00 to DKK 14,000.00 a month. These figures alone should tell you how high the living costs in the Danish capital are.
Costs of Buying Property in Copenhagen
Of course, if renting along is already pricey, what more when you want to purchase the property yourself? No matter which
neighborhood in Copenhagen you choose, owning a home here will cost you hundreds of thousands or possibly even millions of Danish Krones. More specifically, property within the heart of the city costs a minimum of DKK 45,000.00 to a maximum of DKK 65,000.00 per square meter. On the other hand, for a home along the outskirts of Copenhagen, that'll cost you a minimum of DKK 30,000.00 to a maximum of DKK 43,000.00 per square meter.
Utilities Costs
What about your utilities costs? Surely this will cost less than all the others, right? This is true, more or less! The truth of the matter is all your monthly bills commonly total around DKK 784.62 to DKK 2,615.38 a month. This will already include your electricity, water, heating, garbage disposal, and the like. At least, when it comes to your home's wireless internet connection, the costs aren't that high. In fact, regardless of which
local network your join, this will still cost you around DKK 199.00 to DKK 320.00 a month. Not bad, right?
Food Costs
Now, how about your food costs? Will shopping for groceries take up too much of your budget? Well, that depends on where you shop. For the most part, however, you can get by for around DKK 597.73, at the very least! This figure is enough to cover groceries that will last you around one to two weeks tops. It accounts for a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, 1.5 liters of water, a liter of milk, all sorts of fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood, snacks, and even some alcohol to boot. But then again, if you go to cheaper stores, you might get to save a lot more!
Dining Costs
As far as dining out is concerned, this also depends on where you go. Copenhagen has a ton of
great foodie hotspots, many of which are expensive while others are more affordable. If you focus more on the latter, you can enjoy the city's culinary scene without having to worry about your budget. For instance, enjoying a meal in a cheap diner will only cost you around DKK 80.00 to DKK 165.00. If you want to go on a dinner date with someone special, choosing a mid-range establishment will only cost you DKK 479.16 to DKK 1,200.00 for a three-course meal for two.
Transportation Costs
Since Copenhagen is a bustling city,
public transport is often a common option to get around here. But is it expensive to commute here? The answer is no, it's not! If you get a travel pass, for instance, particularly the
Copenhagen Card, you'll only need to pay around DKK 54.00 to DKK 133.00 for unlimited access to the city's public transport system within a set period of time. Be it the underground metro, the S-train, or the bus, this card is your ticket to traveling all throughout the Danish capital with little to no hassle. But if you didn't get the Copenhagen Card, a ticket only costs around DKK 15.00 to DKK 30.00 each.
Clothing Costs
Need to shop for clothes in Copenhagen? Not to worry! While the city is no 'fashion capital,' there are still a lot of great stores to choose from here. Many of which are luxury labels and designer brands, which means they'll cost a lot of money, while others are high-street and mid-range stores that offer quality pieces. And if you focus on the latter, you won't risk emptying your bank account. For example, shopping from a high-street brand will cost you around DKK 150.00 to DKK 500.00 a piece. If you need new sneakers, that'll cost you DKK 600.00 to DKK 1,500.00 per pair.
Leisure Costs
Just like in many other cities, a great way to spend your free time in Copenhagen is to work out, play sports, or watch a movie. But how will those cost you in the long run? Well, if you want to work out in a fine mid-range gym, you'll need to pay around DKK 168.00 to DKK 400.00 for a monthly membership fee. Renting a court on the weekends will cost you DKK 150.00 to DK 340.00 per hour. And when you want to watch a movie, a single ticket costs DKK 100.00 to DKK 130.00 each.
Childcare & Education Costs
Many might not know this but Copenhagen is actually a great place for kids to study and go to school. Thanks to the
many excellent international schools here, there's plenty of high-quality education to go around in the Danish capital. But how much of that will it cost you as parents? For starters, if you want to enroll your little one in a private daycare center to ensure their safety, prepare to pay around DKK 2,300.00 to DKK 3,800.00 per month. When they go to primary school, you'll face annual tuition fees that cost around a minimum of DKK 24,000.00 to a maximum of DKK 150,000.00. Are you prepared to pay for all of that?
Living in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark which, itself, is one of the more well-off countries in the world, can be quite expensive. But overall, it's a small price to pay to live in one of the happiest places in the world!
