Cost of living in Helsinki (Finland) is 28% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 182 prices entered by 42 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Helsinki (Finland) is 15% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €13 ($14) | $14 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €10 ($10) | $8 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.95 ($6) | $4.70 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.44 ($1.52) | $0.91 | + 68% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.10 ($3.27) | $2.33 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.43 ($3.63) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.39 ($5.70) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.47 ($2.61) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.24 ($1.31) | $1.59 | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.96 ($3.12) | $2.40 | + 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €18 ($19) | $14 | + 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €3.05 ($3.23) | $1.84 | + 75% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.97 ($2.08) | $2.26 | - 8% | |
| Housing | + 16% | |||
| Housing in Helsinki (Finland) is 16% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €2,027 ($2,142) | $1,810 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,741 ($1,840) | $1,036 | + 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €84 ($89) | $153 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,453 ($1,536) | $1,075 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €1,055 ($1,115) | $753 | + 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €51 ($54) | $127 | - 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €18 ($19) | $48 | - 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €340 ($359) | $444 | - 19% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €88 ($93) | $84 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 ($8) | $11 | - 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €37 ($39) | $25 | + 56% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Helsinki (Finland) is 4% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €95 ($100) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €43 ($45) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €96 ($101) | $96 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €146 ($154) | $110 | + 41% | |
| Transportation | + 77% | |||
| Transportation in Helsinki (Finland) is 77% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €23,248 ($24,570) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €2.12 ($2.24) | $0.78 | + 188% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €62 ($66) | $30 | + 118% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €22 ($23) | $17 | + 40% | |
| Personal Care | + 4% | |||
| Personal Care in Helsinki (Finland) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 ($9) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €10 ($11) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €85 ($90) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.93 ($4.15) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.31 ($3.50) | $3.01 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.29 ($3.48) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.63 ($1.73) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.84 ($1.95) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 ($25) | $23 | + 9% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Helsinki (Finland) is 17% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($46) | $40 | + 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €31 ($33) | $20 | + 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €110 ($117) | $110 | + 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €84 ($89) | $92 | - 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €13 ($14) | $7 | + 84% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.89 ($5.17) | $4.01 | + 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €7 ($7) | $4.44 | + 68% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €437 ($462) | $424 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.08 ($0.08) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €53 ($56) | $51 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €10 ($10) | $7 | + 39% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 28% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 182 prices entered by 42 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.057
USD
/
EUR
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For example, you would need at least $7,282 (€6,890) in Helsinki to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,700 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Oslo costs kr 135 (44 minutes ago)
- 500 g of boneless chicken breast in Sucre costs $b11 (about 1 hour ago)
- Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Salt Lake City, Utah costs $50,000 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Lahore costs ₨201 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) in Des Moines, Iowa costs $0.08 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Omaha, Nebraska costs $100 (about 4 hours ago)