Cost of living in Helsinki (Finland) is 27% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 295 prices entered by 30 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 | €14 ($15) | $16 | - 6% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($12) | $8 | + 44% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €7 ($7) | $5.02 | + 39% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.48 ($1.55) | $1.01 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.84 ($5.09) | $2.80 | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.37 ($3.54) | $4.92 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €4.47 ($4.70) | $7 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.14 ($2.25) | $2.79 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.25 ($1.31) | $1.74 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.68 ($2.82) | $2.31 | + 22% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €16 ($17) | $15 | + 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.63 ($2.77) | $1.99 | + 39% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €2.27 ($2.39) | $1.80 | + 33% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Helsinki (Finland) is 6% 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 | €2,017 ($2,121) | $1,810 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,441 ($1,515) | $1,036 | + 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €83 ($88) | $153 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,044 ($1,098) | $1,075 | + 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €1,022 ($1,075) | $753 | + 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €43 ($45) | $127 | - 65% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €20 ($21) | $48 | - 57% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €362 ($380) | $387 | - 2% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €97 ($102) | $86 | + 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 ($7) | $11 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €37 ($38) | $24 | + 62% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Helsinki (Finland) is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Helsinki | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €83 ($88) | $48 | + 84% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €40 ($42) | $58 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €98 ($103) | $77 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €121 ($127) | $102 | + 25% | |
| Transportation | + 97% | |||
| Transportation in Helsinki (Finland) is 97% 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 | €27,898 ($29,341) | $23,749 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.93 ($2.03) | $0.72 | + 183% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €65 ($69) | $30 | + 129% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €21 ($22) | $17 | + 31% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Helsinki (Finland) is 6% cheaper than 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 ($10) | $8 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 ($9) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €75 ($79) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.65 ($3.84) | $7 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.56 ($3.75) | $3.53 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.07 ($3.23) | $5.28 | - 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.54 ($1.62) | $3.18 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.98 ($2.09) | $1.83 | + 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €25 ($26) | $23 | + 15% | |
| Entertainment | + 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Helsinki (Finland) is 24% 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 | €46 ($49) | $42 | + 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €34 ($36) | $21 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €94 ($99) | $108 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €88 ($93) | $80 | + 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €14 ($15) | $7 | + 97% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.89 ($5.14) | $4.01 | + 28% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €8 ($8) | $4.44 | + 85% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €441 ($464) | $479 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.09 ($0.10) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €58 ($61) | $46 | + 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €10 ($11) | $8 | + 37% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 27% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 295 prices entered by 30 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 04, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.052
USD
/
EUR
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For example, you would need at least $7,503 (€7,134) in Helsinki to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,900 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Do you live in Iowa City, Iowa? We need your help!
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Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Caruaru costs R$ 40 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Recife costs R$ 3,000 (about 2 hours ago)
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- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Fortaleza costs R$ 20 (about 3 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Leeuwarden costs €12 (about 5 hours ago)
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