How Much Things Cost

The first thing that everyone says about moving to Denmark is that it is very expensive to live here.  It's true that Danes pay over 60% in income tax.  That's high.  Restaurants are more expensive, but restaurant workers get paid more.

Danish Kroner - DKK

I have found that many things here cost more than in the U.S.  Clothing, shoes, linens, almost anything for sale on the Strøget (Copenhagen's largest shopping area).  All are a lot more expensive than back home.  Just yesterday, Christopher spent $20 on a can opener (the manual kind, not electric). Don't worry.  I made him return it.  This morning, I found Adidas Gazelles selling for $128 on the Strøget.  I bought that same pair in Williamsburg for $35 on sale at the outlets just last week!

$35 Adidas Gazelles are $128 in Denmark

Despite how expensive it is to live here, there are still some good deals to be found.  If you need to see a doctor, you can see one for free.  If you go out to dinner, you don't have to leave a tip.  

There are other things here that are a great bargain.  A monthly transportation pass for one adult is $60/month.  That provides you with unlimited travel within zones 1 and 2 (Central Copenhagen) on the metro, trains, buses and water taxis.  The cost for a child's monthly transportation pass is $30.  

Another surprising deal is cell phone service.  We signed up with Telia to get 60 GB of data on our 3 cell phones (combined) with unlimited talk and text for $100/month.  And that comes with HBO, too.

Here is a list of items we have purchased and how much they cost.  If you stay away from junk food, it's not too expensive to go grocery shopping here.  All prices listed are in U.S. Dollars.

Aluminum Foil	$ 1.29
Apples	2.00/lb.
Bananas (1 bunch)	2.40
Bathroom Bleach Wipes	2.58
Black Olives	1.91
Broccoli	2.08
Canned Tuna	2.39
Capers Cava (sparkling wine)	1.92 10.00
Chocolate Milk (1 liter)	2.41
Coffee	9.48/lb.
Crème Fraiche	2.41
Cup o’ Noodles	2.80
Diced Tomatoes (1 can)	0.79
Eggs (10 pack) Fanta (1 can)	3.87   1.45
Flour Tortillas (6 large)	1.45
Frosted Flakes	5.32
Gem Lettuce/baby romaine	2.08
Ground Beef (1 lb.)	4.80
Half & Half (tiny bottle)	0.85
Hellmanns Mayo (small jar)	4.67
Hot Dogs (huge pack)	6.45
Jameson Whiskey (700 ml)	20.83
Ketchup (Heinz)	6.46
Kidney Beans (1 can)	1.59
Manchego (cheese)	9.20
Milk (close to a quart)	1.45
Mushrooms	2.56
Oatmeal	3.71
Oranges (1.5 kg)	3.55
Organic Mixed Salad Greens	2.50
Organic Yogurt (400g)	2.99
Peanut Butter (small jar)	4.63
Penne Rigate	2.09
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pickled Jalapeños (jar)	3.38   1.93
Plastic Wrap	1.21
Potatoes (tiny white ones)	3.55
Selles sur Cher (cheese)	12.11
Smoked Salmon (big slab)	8.87
Sour Cream & Onion Chips	3.71
Sparkling Water (2 liter)	0.93 + .50 deposit
Tea (Early Grey)	3.66
Tortilla Chips Viognier (White Wine)	4.00 11.31
Whipped Cream	2.58
White Wine Vinegar	3.19
Wine	8.00-20.00

Seriously, like 75% of this list is cheaper than in the U.S.  Now, based on what I have purchased, what should I make for dinner tonight?

På gensyn!