Sarpsborg vs Tønsberg
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Sarpsborg leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Tønsberg where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Tønsberg's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Sarpsborg | Tønsberg |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 67 | 67 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 51 | 51 |
| Climate | 81 | 82 |
| Safety | 71 | 69 |
| Summer °C | 16.3 | 17.3 |
| Winter °C | -2.5 | -2.3 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Sarpsborg vs Tønsberg: the short answer
Tønsberg comes out ahead on overall livability (67/100), only marginally above Sarpsborg (67/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Tønsberg is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Sarpsborg 51 vs Tønsberg 51, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Tønsberg runs warmer in summer (about 17.3°C peak vs 16.3°C in Sarpsborg), while winter lows sit near -2.5°C in Sarpsborg and -2.3°C in Tønsberg. On natural-disaster exposure Sarpsborg is the safer choice (safety 71/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Sarpsborg and extreme cold / winter for Tønsberg.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Tønsberg — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Tønsberg — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Sarpsborg — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Tønsberg — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Sarpsborg or Tønsberg better to live in?
Tønsberg scores higher overall — 67 vs 67 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Sarpsborg or Tønsberg?
Tønsberg has the lower cost of living (cost index 51 vs 51; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Sarpsborg or Tønsberg?
Tønsberg — summer highs reach about 17.3°C versus 16.3°C in Sarpsborg.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Sarpsborg or Tønsberg?
Sarpsborg (disaster-safety 71/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Sarpsborg, extreme cold / winter in Tønsberg.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Sarpsborg?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Sarpsborg on our risk index.
How is the Sarpsborg vs Tønsberg comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.