Trondheim vs Stavanger
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Trondheim leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Stavanger where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Stavanger's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Trondheim | Stavanger |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 65 | 68 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 48 | 49 |
| Climate | 78 | 88 |
| Safety | 70 | 69 |
| Summer °C | 13.6 | 14.7 |
| Winter °C | -2.7 | 1.0 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Trondheim vs Stavanger: the short answer
Stavanger comes out ahead on overall livability (68/100), modestly above Trondheim (65/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Stavanger is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Trondheim 48 vs Stavanger 49, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Stavanger runs warmer in summer (about 14.7°C peak vs 13.6°C in Trondheim), while winter lows sit near -2.7°C in Trondheim and 1.0°C in Stavanger. On natural-disaster exposure Trondheim is the safer choice (safety 70/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Trondheim and extreme cold / winter for Stavanger.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Stavanger — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Stavanger — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Trondheim — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Stavanger — 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 Trondheim or Stavanger better to live in?
Stavanger scores higher overall — 68 vs 65 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Trondheim or Stavanger?
Stavanger has the lower cost of living (cost index 49 vs 48; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Trondheim or Stavanger?
Stavanger — summer highs reach about 14.7°C versus 13.6°C in Trondheim.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Trondheim or Stavanger?
Trondheim (disaster-safety 70/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Trondheim, extreme cold / winter in Stavanger.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Trondheim?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Trondheim on our risk index.
How is the Trondheim vs Stavanger 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.