Cost of living in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 23% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (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 542 prices entered by 62 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | + 53% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 53% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 6,912 kr ($56) | $26 | + 114% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,937 kr ($24) | $13 | + 82% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,505 kr ($12) | $7 | + 88% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 248 kr ($2.03) | $1.18 | + 71% | |
12 eggs, large | 948 kr ($8) | $8 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 736 kr ($6) | $5.20 | + 16% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,579 kr ($13) | $8 | + 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 531 kr ($4.34) | $4.22 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 450 kr ($3.68) | $1.91 | + 92% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 576 kr ($4.70) | $6 | - 23% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,730 kr ($39) | $15 | + 160% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 371 kr ($3.03) | $3.17 | - 4% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 454 kr ($3.71) | $3.29 | + 12% | |
Housing | + 2% | |||
Housing in Reykjavik (Iceland) is about the same as in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 412,072 kr ($3,367) | $4,089 | - 18% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 345,938 kr ($2,826) | $2,957 | - 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 47,688 kr ($390) | $260 | + 50% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 328,691 kr ($2,685) | $2,976 | - 10% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 249,651 kr ($2,040) | $2,381 | - 14% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 33,176 kr ($271) | $202 | + 34% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 10,661 kr ($87) | $56 | + 54% | |
40” flat screen tv | 128,560 kr ($1,050) | $387 | + 171% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 28,871 kr ($236) | $161 | + 47% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,826 kr ($23) | $16 | + 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 6,364 kr ($52) | $36 | + 44% | |
Clothes | + 83% | |||
Clothes in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 83% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 14,089 kr ($115) | $69 | + 67% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 12,510 kr ($102) | $52 | + 96% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 26,016 kr ($213) | $106 | + 100% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 28,256 kr ($231) | $143 | + 61% | |
Transportation | + 80% | |||
Transportation in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 80% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 5,926,530 kr ($48,419) | $27,289 | + 77% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 302 kr ($2.47) | $1.21 | + 104% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 10,866 kr ($89) | $53 | + 67% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 5,891 kr ($48) | $21 | + 131% | |
Personal Care | - 16% | |||
Personal Care in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 16% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,305 kr ($11) | $7 | + 51% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,917 kr ($16) | $20 | - 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 11,410 kr ($93) | $212 | - 56% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 697 kr ($5.69) | $8 | - 33% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 690 kr ($5.63) | $4.77 | + 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 723 kr ($5.91) | $7 | - 21% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 640 kr ($5.23) | $5.67 | - 8% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 448 kr ($3.66) | $2.80 | + 31% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 7,905 kr ($65) | $36 | + 78% | |
Entertainment | - 8% | |||
Entertainment in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 8% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Reykjavik | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 9,775 kr ($80) | $70 | + 14% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 3,967 kr ($32) | $43 | - 25% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 14,457 kr ($118) | $437 | - 73% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 13,263 kr ($108) | $137 | - 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,423 kr ($28) | $20 | + 43% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 795 kr ($6) | $6 | + 4% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,441 kr ($12) | $9 | + 33% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 164,715 kr ($1,346) | $502 | + 168% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 57 kr ($0.46) | $1.02 | - 55% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 22,726 kr ($186) | $71 | + 162% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,785 kr ($15) | $13 | + 9% | |
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TOTAL | + 23% |

These prices were last updated on July 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00817
USD
/
ISK
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For example, you would need at least $14,756 (1,806,130 kr) in Reykjavik to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $12,000 in Los Angeles, California.
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