City Comparison
Helsinki vs Oulu
Compare cost of living, job opportunities, transportation, and quality of life between Helsinki and Oulu.
Quick Comparison
Category
Helsinki
Oulu
Population
694K+
217K+
Average Rent
€850-1,100 /month
€590-740 /month
Transit Pass
€73.90 (AB) /month
€50 /month
Universities
7
2
Summer Temp
15-25°C
10-20°C
Winter Temp
-5 to -15°C
-10 to -25°C
Salary, Costs and Jobs
Helsinki pays more: €4,500 against €3,600 average gross per month. Oulu is cheaper to live in (cost of living index 61 against 100), and typical rent is lower too (€590-740 against €850-1,100 per month). Weighing salary against costs, Oulu gives the stronger purchasing power (136 against 100 for Helsinki).
Salary index (Helsinki = 100)
100
83
Average gross salary
€4,500/month
€3,600/month
Tax burden estimate
26-28%
24-26%
Cost of living index
100
61
Purchasing power index
100
136
Job market size
Large
Medium
Top industries
Tech, Finance, Consulting
Tech, Wireless, Healthcare
Salary and index figures are Herizon estimates, not survey data. Official figures: Statistics Finland, Structure of earnings.
Transportation
Helsinki
- Metro: Efficient metro system connecting key areas of the city
- Trams: Extensive tram network in the city center
- Buses: Comprehensive bus network covering all districts
Oulu
- Buses: Comprehensive bus network serving the city and region
Learn More
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