Living in Stavanger

Why Stavanger?

Stavanger is Norway's fourth-largest city and the undisputed capital of the country's oil and gas industry. Since oil was discovered in the North Sea in the 1960s, the city has transformed from a small fishing port into a modern, prosperous metropolis. The headquarters of Equinor (formerly Statoil), Norway's largest company, are here, along with dozens of international energy companies.

This oil wealth has attracted a considerable expat community: roughly 10% of the region's population is estimated to be of foreign origin. This gives Stavanger a cultural openness and diversity not found in other Norwegian cities of comparable size. The city is also beautifully located, between sandy beaches, fjords and mountains.

Where to live in Stavanger?

Stavanger is a relatively spread-out city with a compact centre and well-served residential suburbs. The choice of neighbourhood depends a lot on where you work and your family situation. Here are the main neighbourhoods:

Cost of living in Stavanger

Stavanger is one of the most expensive cities in Norway, just behind Oslo. The influence of the oil sector pushes prices up, particularly for housing and services. Salaries are proportionate, however, often higher than the national average.

Working in Stavanger

Stavanger's job market is dominated by the energy sector, but the city is gradually diversifying. Here are the main sectors that are hiring.

Sectors that are hiring

• Oil and gas: Equinor, Aker BP, ConocoPhillips, TotalEnergies, Schlumberger and dozens of subcontractors. Jobs range from offshore engineering to project management, geology and finance. The sector directly or indirectly employs more than 50,000 people in the region.
• Renewable energy: The energy transition is transforming Stavanger. Oil skills are being redirected towards offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture. It is a booming sector.
• Tech and digital: A growing tech ecosystem has developed around the Ullandhaug innovation park and Forus. Startups in data, AI applied to energy and marine technologies emerge regularly.
• Healthcare: Stavanger University Hospital is a major employer and a recognised centre of medical research.

Average salaries in Stavanger

Schools and nurseries

Thanks to its large international community, Stavanger has one of the best international school offerings in Norway outside Oslo.

International schools

• International School of Stavanger (ISS): One of the best international schools in Norway. Full IB programme, from kindergarten to the International Baccalaureate. More than 50 nationalities represented. Located in Hafrsfjord, with excellent sports and arts facilities.
• British International School of Stavanger: British curriculum, a natural choice for UK families or anyone wanting continuity with the English system.
• Norwegian public schools: Excellent quality, with welcome programmes for children who don't speak Norwegian in several schools.

Nurseries (Barnehage)

Stavanger has many nurseries (barnehager), some of them international with English-speaking staff. The monthly fee is capped at around 3,000 NOK. Some employers in the oil sector have agreements with local nurseries to help secure places.

Things to do in Stavanger

Stavanger may be a modest-sized city, but its natural surroundings are among the most spectacular in Norway. And the city itself holds some lovely cultural surprises.

Must-see sights

• Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock): One of the most famous hikes in the world. A 604-metre cliff overlooking the Lysefjord. Reachable in a 2-hour walk from the car park. An absolute must.
• Lysefjord: A spectacular fjord reachable by ferry from Stavanger. Cruises to Preikestolen and Kjeragbolten (the boulder wedged between two cliffs).
• Gamle Stavanger: The old quarter with 173 white wooden houses from the 18th century, among the best preserved in Northern Europe.
• Jæren beaches: South of Stavanger, kilometres of wild, wind-swept sandy beaches. Ideal for surfing, walking and sunsets.

Free activities

• Stroll through Gamle Stavanger and the Vågen harbour
• Hike to Preikestolen (paid car park, free hike)
• Explore the beaches of Solastranden and Borestranden
• Picnic at Lake Mosvannet right in the city centre
• Street art: Stavanger is covered in monumental murals (NuArt festival)

Cultural life

• Oil Museum (Norsk Oljemuseum): Interactive museum on the history of the Norwegian oil industry, surprisingly fascinating.
• NuArt Festival: International street art festival every September, which has made Stavanger a street art capital of Europe.
• Stavanger Konserthus: World-class concert hall, home of the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra.
• Gladmat: The largest food festival in Scandinavia, every summer on the harbour.

International community in Stavanger

This is one of Stavanger's great strengths: the international community here is dense, organised and welcoming. The oil industry has created a constant flow of expats since the 1970s, and the city has developed a solid welcoming infrastructure.

• InterNations Stavanger: An active expat community with regular events and get-togethers.
• Facebook groups: Search Facebook for “Expats in Stavanger”; you'll also find groups by nationality.
• Meetup.com and language cafés: Meetup.com groups (hiking, running, networking) and free language cafés (språkkafé) run by the public library and the Red Cross.
• Local clubs and volunteering: Sports clubs (idrettslag) and dugnad (community work days) are the real route to Norwegian friendships.
• Embassies: Most English-speaking countries (UK, US, Canada, Ireland) have their embassy in Oslo; check your government's travel site for consular services.