Norway has one of the highest price levels in Europe for goods and services for personal consumption. In 2011, the price level was 51 per cent higher than the average price level in the EU. A high income level nonetheless means that inhabitants of Norway can largely afford expensive goods.
Despite high food prices, it is housing, electricity and heating expenses that are the biggest expense item for Norwegian households. Housing costs account for 31 per cent of consumption on average. Roughly 16 per cent is spent on transport, while only 11 per cent of the average household budget is spent on food.