Which items to bring from home and which ones to buy locally in Norway?

In general, you can find almost all Indian food items, Masalas, Spices and Packed food items in Grønland Turkish and Pakistani shops. Of course, the price will be 4-5x the prices in India but that is applicable to all the things in Norway, the most expensive country in the world.

However, the following items may be very difficult to find or extremely expensive in Norway, and it is therefore recommended that you bring your own:

1. Medicines (10 to 100 times more expensive than at India). Also, most of the brands that you use may not be available here.
2. Prescription glasses (Bring an extra pair, if you are coming for long term). The cheapest one may be around 500NOK, at least, if you buy one locally.
3. Dental work/Treatment. Get it done at your home. Dental treatment is not covered by Social Security and it may be wiser and cheaper to fly back home, if you develop some dental complications here!!
4. White Light/Bulbs/CFL. It is simply not available here and it is advisable to buy them from home if you don’t like Yellow or Off-white light. (Remember the electrical socket should be E27 – European socket. It is different from the one used in India)
5. Electric Bulbs greater than 70Watts – It is banned by the law, to sell bulb more than 70 W. In general, it is difficult to find bulb more than 40W in the normal markets. Bulbs between 40W  - 70 W are taxed more, and the cheapest 70W bulb, that I have found is about 50 NOK.
6. Maggi Noodles. Yes, the beloved old Maggi is not available, apart from one or two  shop, where availability is not guaranteed. Though, you can find lot of other noodles variants here, if you have no special inclinations towards Maggi :)
7. Alcohol and Cigarettes. Under the Norwegian Custom laws, you can bring upto 1 L of hard spirit and 200 cigarettes, duty free into the country. General prices at a local shop here ~ 80 NOK per pack of 10 cigarettes (cheapest brand) and 300-400 NOK for an average brand of whisky.
8. Electronics. Unlike US, the prices of electronics tend to be quite expensive here, so bring necessities from your home country. In general phones (except iPhone) are expensive and should be brought from home country. 

Personally speaking, I would recommend that you buy winter clothing and shoes from Norway itself, since they can withstand the local harsh weather conditions. Also, locally bought items can be replaced easily, if you are not satisfied with them. Most warm clothes and shoes in Norway will be water-proof/resistant, wind-proof and snow-proof, but at least 2-3x expensive than the ones bought in your local country.

What’s the cost of living? Prices of general commodities

Norwegian Krones (NOK)

I have compiled the list below, based on my first-hand experience at an average super market or a local shop in the Grønland. The prices stand correct as on 25 Dec 2011. Norwegian currency is NOK; 1 NOK ~ 9 INR,  1EUR ~ 8 NOK.

 Note that the prices in Norway are not fixed and it’s upto the retailer to decide on what price she/he wishes to sell. So, a 1 L milk full cream may be available anywhere between 14  to 25 NOK depending on place, you buy it from.

In general kiosks such as 7-Eleven, Narvesan, Deli De Luca, Mix, which are present everywhere in downtown, at your convenience, will charge double the prices than the supermarkets. Rema 1000, Rimi, Kiwi and Coop are the cheap supermarkets; while ICA and Meny are most expensive ones. If you want to shop on Sundays, try locating a BunnPris store which will be siginificantly cheaper than Joker. In any case, both these stores are expensive than a supermarket.

P.S. Almost all Supermarkets, with a very few exceptions remain closed on Sundays, while kiosks generally open 07:00-00:00 (rarely, some of them could open 24 hours), 365 days a year. 

You may also download the list below in a more convenient pdf format from here.

Item Description	Units	Avg Price (NOK)	Avg Price(INR)	Remarks
Milk (Full Cream)	1L	15	135
Milk (Double Toned)	1L	12.5	112.5
Bread*	400gm	20	180	There are dozens of variety of breads & each one varies a lot
Lomper (Potato wheat chapati)	8 nos	14	126
Apple	1Kg	15	135
Banana	1Kg	12	108
Oranges	1Kg	15	135
Pomengranate (Annar)	1Kg	20	180
Pineapple (Medium)	1 Nos.	15	135
Mango (approx 300gm)	1 Nos.	20	180	Some wild variety
Grapes	1Kg	30	270
KiwiFruit	1 Nos.	4	36
Lemon	1Kg	14	126
Oil Sunflower	1L	25	225
Most Indian spices	50 gm	15	135	Includes Badhash/MDH masala packs
Rooh Afza sharbat	1bottle	45	405
Rice Basmati	1Kg	20	180
Grains	500gm	8	72	Like peas, grams, etc.
Salt	1Kg	8	72
Sugar	1Kg	20	180
Ghee	1Kg	75	675
Tomato Ketchup	200 gm	15	135
Almonds	1Kg	50	450
Most dry fuits	100gm	15	135	At any super markets, sold as Nøttemix
Peanuts with shell	1Kg	45	405
Button mushroom	1Kg	35	315
Carrot	1Kg	12	108
Lady Finger (Bhindi/Okra)	1Kg	60	540
Cabbage	1 Nos.	10	90
Cauliflower	1 Nos.	12	108
Ice Berg (Used for salad)	1 Nos.	10	90
Brocolli	1 Nos.	10	90
Dish washing liquid	300 ml	25	225
Beer (from Super Market)	500 ml	25	225
Beer (from Bar)	350 ml	60	540
Cheapest Wine (from Vinmonopolet)	1 bottle (750 ml)	75	675	Only Govt shops are authorized to sell beverages containing over 4.5% alchohol.
Cheapest Whiskey (from Vinmonopolet)	1 bottle (1 L)	150	1350
Tomatoes	1Kg	14	126
Onion	1Kg	8	72
Potatoes	1Kg	6	54
Eggs	12	24	216
Green Chilli	1Kg	50	450
Coriander (Dhaniya leaves)	1 bundle (perhaps 100 gm)	10	90
Honey	250gm	30	270
Jam	250gm	12	108
Pepsi	2L	25	225
Most Juices	1L	23	207
Muesli	500gm	40	360
Corn Flakes	500gm	15	135
Margarine	500gm	15	135
Wheat flour	5Kg	50	450
Indian Namkeens	200gm	20	180
Pumpkin (Orange)	1Kg	15	135
Pumpkin (Yellow)	1Kg	60	540
Green Peas (Frozen)	500gm	14	126
Gourd (Lauki)	1 Nos ( ~3oo gm)	10	90
Radish (Mooli)	N/A	N/A	N/A	Not seen till date.
Beet Root	N/A	N/A	N/A	Not seen till date.
Green Coconut	N/A`	N/A	N/A	Not seen till date. Perhaps puree or canned fruit may be available
Spinach (Canned)	250gm	9	81
Poultry	1Kg	40	360
Drinking Water	1L	25	225
Maggi Noodles	1Pack/80gm	7	63	Till date only found one shop, that too selling expired ones :(
Indian Tea Bags	25 Nos	30	270
Indian Tea Leaves	500gm	30	270
Coffee	500gms	50	450	Perhaps, not sure
Milk Chocolate	100gm	20	180
Cooking Oil - Mustard	1L	80	720
Birthday Cake	0.5Kg	100	900	Average Cake - Perhaps Pineapple falvor
Birthday Cake -Exotic flavors	0.5Kg	250	2250	At good bakery
Shoes	1 Pair	400-onwards	N/A
Good Winter Jacket	1 Nos	1000	9000	Unbranded
Woolen socks	1 pair	70	630
Wollen Thermalwear/Inners	1 Nos	150	1350
Wireless router	1Nos	300	2700	Cheapest, low end model
Mobile calls (Local)	Per minute	1	9	Each call has to pay an initial connection charge of generally 1NOK/min + per min tarrif of ~0.5NOK.
Mobile calls (ISD)	Per minute	1.5	13.5	Each call has to pay an initial connection charge of generally 1NOK/min + per min tarrif of ~1 NOK.
SMS (Local)	1 Nos	0.4	3.6
SMS (ISD)	1 Nos	0.7	6.3
Internet (~1Mbps broadband)	1Month	300	2700	Rates can vary drastically on the plan selected
Cup of Tea/Coffee	1 cup	25	225
One bowl curry + Rice + 1  Naan + Salad	1 person	90	810	Inexpensive Pakistani/Indian restaurant in Gronland
One bowl curry + Rice + 1  Naan + salad	1 person	400	3600	Posh Indian restaurant, at upmarket location
One time Norwegian Meal	1 person	150	1350
Mac Donalds -Big Mac Burger	1 Nos	75	675
Pizza - large (Family Size)	1 Nos	150	1350	Inexpensive restaurant
Pizza - large (Family Size)	1 Nos	300	2700	Large Pizza chains
Lassi/Chaas/Kheer/Phirni GulabJamoon	1 Glass/2Nos	50	450	In Indian restaurant
School (Govt - Norwegain system of education)	1 year	~Free	0	Government will generally bear the cost of initial schooling
School (International curriculum)	1 year	100000	900000	The figures are not a typo!!
Accomodation (Studio)	1 month	5000-18000	N/A	Figures are highly approximate and should be read with caution. It will vary largely on length of stay, locality and furnishing of the house.
Accomodation (1 Room)	1 month	6000-20000	N/A	Figures are highly approximate and should be read with caution. It will vary largely on length of stay, locality and furnishing of the house.
Accomodation (1BHK called as 2 room apartment locally)	1 month	8000-25000	N/A	Figures are highly approximate and should be read with caution. It will vary largely on length of stay, locality and furnishing of the house.
Accomodation (Short Term)	1 night	550	4950	A modest 2 star hotel
Entrance fee to an average museum	1 Nos	70	630
Movie Ticket	1 Nos	250	2250
Daily Newspaper	1 Nos	5	45
Medicines	N/A	10-100 times more expensive compared to India	N/A	When, purchase OTC, without doctor's prescription. Also most Antibiotics and other medicines can't be purchased without prescription.
Prescription Spectacles	1Nos	400	3600	Modest looking, very average spects
Dentist/Opthalmologist/ Lawyer	N/A	Priceless	N/A	You have been warned!!
Talcum Powder	N/A	N/A	N/A	It's not available,apart from some Pakistani Shops
Hair Oil (KTC) - Almond, Coconut,  Jasmine, Amla, Chameli	250ml	15	135
Hair Oil (Dabur) - Almond, Coconut,  Jasmine, Amla, Chameli	300 ml	50	450
Shampoo (Head & Shoulder, Pantene, etc)	250 ml	30	270
Conditioner (Head & Shoulder, Pantene, etc)	250 ml	30	270
Toothpaste	100gm	35	315
Dusting - Wiping - Cleaning (Studio apratment)	One time	600	5400
Haircut	One time	150	1350	At inexpensive shop
Haircut	One time	300	2700	At an slightly above average parlour
Swimming Pool Usage (Government pool)	One time	80	720
Cigarette	1 pack (10 Nos)	77	693
Whiskey - Red Label	1L	329	2961	From Vinmonopolet
Roses/Tulip	1Nos	15	135
Public toilet	One time usage	10	90	Public toilets, in general are rarely found. Relieve yourself at home or office or find the nearest bar
Public Transport Ticket (Main Oslo city)	One time usage	28	252	Valid for 1 hour
Taxi (Weekdays)	Min Fare	70	630	Minimum fare is perhaps 60-70NOK for 1-2 Km,with each additional Km at 10 or 20 NOK. Not sure about specifics. Yeah, they are expensive!!
Taxi (Weeends/Nights)	Min Fare	120	1080	Weekends and Night fares are almost 1.5-2x normal fares
Petrol (Fuel)	1L	13.5	121.5
Diesel	1L	13	117
Light bulb - Glass (15-40 W)	2 Nos	10	90
Light bulb - Glass (40-70 W)	1 Nos	30	270	Bulbs greater than 70 W are banned by legisltation and not available
CFL Bulbs (15 W)	1 Nos	25	225
LED Bulbs (15 W)	1 Nos	50	450
Post  - Letter (Domestic)	1 Nos	9	81	Below 20gm
Post  - Letter (International)	1 Nos	14	126	Below 20gm
Electricity Bill for rooms with electric heating (Winters)	1 Room Studio	800	7200
Electricity Bill for rooms with electric heating (Summer)	1 Room Studio	350	3150
Car mechanic/ Plumber/Painter, etc.	Per hour	300-500	N/A