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Cost of living in Denmark

Denmark is 12% cheaper than the US, ranking #21 of 203 countries we cover for cost of living.

World Bank data through 2024 · last reviewed 2026-06.

Cost of living · US = 100
88.1
Ranks #21 of 203 · 12% cheaper than the US
GDP / capita (PPP)
$81,878
GNI / capita (PPP)
$84,680
Inflation · YoY
1.4%
Population
6M
Capital
Copenhagen
Density
149 /km²
Urban
89%
Area
42.9K km²

What drives the cost here

Price levels by category, where the world average = 100. Above 100 is pricier than the global norm; below it is cheaper.

In Denmark, housing & utilities is the priciest category relative to the world (258), while communication is the most affordable (123).

Housing & utilities 258
Restaurants & hotels 206
Transport 178
Health 149
Food & groceries 140
Communication 123

Category price levels: World Bank ICP 2021 (world average = 100) · source

Denmark on the map

What your money is worth here

A $100,000 US lifestyle would cost roughly $88,000 in Denmark.

Quality of life

97/100 · #14 of 198

Beyond cost — health, safety, and connectivity. The score is a transparent, equal-weight composite of the verified metrics below (see methodology).

Quality-of-life score
97 / 100
Our transparent equal-weight composite
Life expectancy
82 yrs
World Bank · 2024 · source
Safety · homicide /100k
0.8
UNODC · 2023 · source
Infant mortality /1k
4
World Bank · 2024 · source
Internet users
100%
ITU · 2024 · source
Safe drinking water
100%
WHO/UNICEF · 2024 · source
Air quality · PM2.5
9 µg/m³
WHO · 2020 · source

About Denmark

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is part of the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. The country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union and justice and home affairs issues. a 2022 referendum resulted in the removal of Denmark's 30-year opt-out on defense issues, now allowing Denmark to participate fully in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.

Background from the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived 2026-06-03.

Frequently asked

Is Denmark expensive to live in?

Denmark is 12% cheaper than the US, ranking #21 of the 203 countries we track. Its most expensive category relative to the world is housing & utilities; communication costs the least.

How much money do you need to live in Denmark?

A lifestyle that costs $100,000 in the United States would cost roughly $88,000 in Denmark, going by overall price levels. The salary translator turns your own figure into a local equivalent.

Is Denmark cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Its overall price level is 88.1, against 100 for the United States.

What is the quality of life in Denmark?

Denmark scores 97 out of 100 on our quality-of-life index (#14 of 198), a composite of life expectancy, safety, health, and connectivity, with life expectancy around 82 years.

Every number, sourced.

We cite the exact source and year for each figure. Derived values are computed at build time, never hand-entered.

Price level index (US = 100)
Derived: nominal ÷ PPP GDP per capita, indexed to the US
88.1
GDP per capita (PPP)
World Bank · 2024 · source
$81,878
GNI per capita (PPP)
World Bank · 2024 · source
$84,680
Inflation (annual %)
World Bank · 2024 · source
1.4%
Population
World Bank · 2024 · source
6M
Population density
World Bank · 2023 · source
149 /km²
Urban population
World Bank · 2024 · source
89%
Surface area
World Bank · 2023 · source
42.9K km²

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