Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 30% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 676 prices entered by 169 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 8% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in New York City (United States) is 8% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (2,666 kr) | 3,122 kr | - 15% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 (1,539 kr) | 2,012 kr | - 23% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (954 kr) | 1,018 kr | - 6% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.26 (173 kr) | 195 kr | - 11% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.26 (587 kr) | 763 kr | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.27 (588 kr) | 643 kr | - 9% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (1,217 kr) | 999 kr | + 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.19 (440 kr) | 352 kr | + 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.07 (286 kr) | 390 kr | - 27% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.15 (572 kr) | 463 kr | + 23% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $21 (2,880 kr) | 2,821 kr | + 2% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.63 (363 kr) | 312 kr | + 16% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.96 (408 kr) | 431 kr | - 5% | |
Housing | + 73% | |||
Housing in New York City (United States) is 73% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $5,243 (722,523 kr) | 306,815 kr | + 135% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,121 (430,086 kr) | 255,571 kr | + 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $158 (21,713 kr) | 19,819 kr | + 10% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,339 (460,131 kr) | 202,083 kr | + 128% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,255 (310,726 kr) | 142,384 kr | + 118% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $116 (16,015 kr) | 20,865 kr | - 23% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 (6,749 kr) | 7,942 kr | - 15% | |
40” flat screen tv | $323 (44,533 kr) | 91,767 kr | - 51% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $190 (26,120 kr) | 26,771 kr | - 2% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (1,770 kr) | 2,082 kr | - 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (4,211 kr) | 4,144 kr | + 2% | |
Clothes | - 43% | |||
Clothes in New York City (United States) is 43% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $50 (6,842 kr) | 16,475 kr | - 58% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $38 (5,288 kr) | 8,266 kr | - 36% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (12,711 kr) | 20,487 kr | - 38% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $123 (16,999 kr) | 26,371 kr | - 36% | |
Transportation | + 16% | |||
Transportation in New York City (United States) is 16% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $24,393 (3,361,586 kr) | 5,098,910 kr | - 34% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.25 (172 kr) | 292 kr | - 41% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $128 (17,607 kr) | 11,500 kr | + 53% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $31 (4,256 kr) | 3,898 kr | + 9% | |
Personal Care | + 47% | |||
Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 47% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (974 kr) | 1,391 kr | - 30% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (3,348 kr) | 1,999 kr | + 67% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $163 (22,462 kr) | 5,936 kr | + 278% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (1,141 kr) | 695 kr | + 64% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.22 (582 kr) | 621 kr | - 6% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (1,047 kr) | 742 kr | + 41% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.23 (721 kr) | 528 kr | + 37% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.11 (290 kr) | 392 kr | - 26% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (4,170 kr) | 6,153 kr | - 32% | |
Entertainment | + 36% | |||
Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 36% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
New York City | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $65 (9,020 kr) | 6,554 kr | + 38% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $33 (4,550 kr) | 3,228 kr | + 41% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $397 (54,746 kr) | 11,318 kr | + 384% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $100 (13,841 kr) | 14,878 kr | - 7% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (2,184 kr) | 2,535 kr | - 14% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.89 (674 kr) | 675 kr | - 0% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (1,102 kr) | 1,232 kr | - 10% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $418 (57,584 kr) | 85,437 kr | - 33% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.57 (79 kr) | 21 kr | + 283% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $83 (11,458 kr) | 8,928 kr | + 28% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 (1,955 kr) | 1,593 kr | + 23% | |
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TOTAL | + 30% |

These prices were last updated on August 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
137.810
ISK
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least 1,178,803 kr ($8,554) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 907,000 kr in Reykjavik.
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