Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 19% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland)
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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 559 prices entered by 80 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 1% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (2,910 kr) | 3,564 kr | - 18% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (1,799 kr) | 2,417 kr | - 26% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (1,113 kr) | 1,093 kr | + 2% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.62 (228 kr) | 221 kr | + 3% | |
12 eggs, large | $7 (963 kr) | 791 kr | + 22% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (893 kr) | 625 kr | + 43% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (1,171 kr) | 1,068 kr | + 10% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.18 (589 kr) | 389 kr | + 52% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.21 (312 kr) | 341 kr | - 9% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 (878 kr) | 466 kr | + 88% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (2,256 kr) | 3,475 kr | - 35% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $3.17 (447 kr) | 312 kr | + 43% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.81 (396 kr) | 404 kr | - 2% | |
Housing | + 78% | |||
Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 78% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,943 (696,501 kr) | 338,792 kr | + 106% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,497 (492,678 kr) | 273,393 kr | + 80% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $174 (24,468 kr) | 19,861 kr | + 23% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,510 (494,538 kr) | 212,459 kr | + 133% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,486 (350,224 kr) | 163,338 kr | + 114% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 (15,961 kr) | 20,214 kr | - 21% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $46 (6,449 kr) | 7,060 kr | - 9% | |
40” flat screen tv | $242 (34,099 kr) | 103,341 kr | - 67% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $146 (20,528 kr) | 30,228 kr | - 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $10 (1,471 kr) | 2,012 kr | - 27% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (5,681 kr) | 4,514 kr | + 26% | |
Clothes | - 39% | |||
Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 39% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 (9,551 kr) | 18,750 kr | - 49% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $39 (5,548 kr) | 9,202 kr | - 40% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $116 (16,391 kr) | 23,830 kr | - 31% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $168 (23,666 kr) | 32,282 kr | - 27% | |
Transportation | - 5% | |||
Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 5% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $33,029 (4,653,848 kr) | 5,305,600 kr | - 12% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.48 (208 kr) | 289 kr | - 28% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $83 (11,685 kr) | 10,225 kr | + 14% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 (2,636 kr) | 5,384 kr | - 51% | |
Personal Care | + 16% | |||
Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 16% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (1,246 kr) | 1,482 kr | - 16% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $11 (1,571 kr) | 2,067 kr | - 24% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $132 (18,657 kr) | 10,369 kr | + 80% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (999 kr) | 687 kr | + 45% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.46 (629 kr) | 679 kr | - 7% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 (1,289 kr) | 762 kr | + 69% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.23 (736 kr) | 503 kr | + 47% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.38 (336 kr) | 424 kr | - 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (4,303 kr) | 6,437 kr | - 33% | |
Entertainment | + 7% | |||
Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 7% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $63 (8,914 kr) | 7,791 kr | + 14% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $34 (4,836 kr) | 3,314 kr | + 46% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $371 (52,335 kr) | 13,356 kr | + 292% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $136 (19,171 kr) | 10,879 kr | + 76% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 (2,476 kr) | 2,619 kr | - 5% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.62 (792 kr) | 713 kr | + 11% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (1,145 kr) | 1,342 kr | - 15% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $343 (48,332 kr) | 106,076 kr | - 54% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.24 (34 kr) | 57 kr | - 41% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $81 (11,446 kr) | 9,931 kr | + 15% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (1,773 kr) | 1,651 kr | + 7% | |
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TOTAL | + 19% |

These prices were last updated on June 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
140.904
ISK
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least 1,224,461 kr ($8,690) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 1,030,000 kr in Reykjavik.
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