Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 23% 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 392 prices entered by 60 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 3% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | $20 (2,671 kr) | 2,825 kr | - 5% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (1,371 kr) | 1,801 kr | - 24% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (943 kr) | 1,018 kr | - 7% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.22 (163 kr) | 191 kr | - 15% | |
12 eggs, large | $4.39 (587 kr) | 763 kr | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (862 kr) | 643 kr | + 34% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (956 kr) | 999 kr | - 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.15 (555 kr) | 352 kr | + 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.84 (246 kr) | 390 kr | - 37% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.05 (408 kr) | 463 kr | - 12% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $17 (2,207 kr) | 2,821 kr | - 22% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.53 (339 kr) | 312 kr | + 8% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.74 (500 kr) | 431 kr | + 16% | |
Housing | + 88% | |||
Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 88% 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 | $5,735 (766,099 kr) | 284,594 kr | + 169% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $4,029 (538,158 kr) | 244,436 kr | + 120% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $152 (20,250 kr) | 19,819 kr | + 2% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,918 (389,805 kr) | 176,423 kr | + 121% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,338 (312,345 kr) | 142,384 kr | + 119% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $86 (11,534 kr) | 20,865 kr | - 45% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 (8,239 kr) | 7,942 kr | + 4% | |
40” flat screen tv | $433 (57,831 kr) | 91,767 kr | - 37% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $170 (22,741 kr) | 26,771 kr | - 15% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (1,430 kr) | 2,082 kr | - 31% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 (5,110 kr) | 4,144 kr | + 23% | |
Clothes | - 47% | |||
Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 47% cheaper than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (7,467 kr) | 16,475 kr | - 55% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $30 (4,007 kr) | 8,266 kr | - 52% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $88 (11,709 kr) | 20,487 kr | - 43% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $144 (19,177 kr) | 26,371 kr | - 27% | |
Transportation | - 12% | |||
Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 12% 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 | $25,999 (3,472,933 kr) | 4,426,080 kr | - 22% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.38 (185 kr) | 286 kr | - 35% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $84 (11,159 kr) | 11,150 kr | + 0% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $20 (2,642 kr) | 3,902 kr | - 32% | |
Personal Care | + 24% | |||
Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 24% 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 (1,256 kr) | 1,391 kr | - 10% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $11 (1,490 kr) | 1,999 kr | - 25% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $132 (17,688 kr) | 5,936 kr | + 198% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (947 kr) | 695 kr | + 36% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.28 (572 kr) | 621 kr | - 8% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (1,027 kr) | 742 kr | + 38% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.24 (700 kr) | 528 kr | + 33% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.67 (356 kr) | 392 kr | - 9% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $35 (4,733 kr) | 6,153 kr | - 23% | |
Entertainment | + 9% | |||
Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Reykjavik (Iceland) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Reykjavik | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $59 (7,890 kr) | 6,554 kr | + 20% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $30 (3,987 kr) | 3,228 kr | + 24% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $283 (37,747 kr) | 11,318 kr | + 234% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $139 (18,517 kr) | 14,878 kr | + 24% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (1,900 kr) | 2,535 kr | - 25% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.79 (640 kr) | 675 kr | - 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (1,009 kr) | 1,232 kr | - 18% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $392 (52,396 kr) | 85,437 kr | - 39% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.14 (19 kr) | 21 kr | - 9% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $82 (10,974 kr) | 8,496 kr | + 29% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 (1,650 kr) | 1,593 kr | + 4% | |
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TOTAL | + 23% |

These prices were last updated on July 03, 2022.
Exchange rate:
133.580
ISK
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least 982,297 kr ($7,354) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 797,000 kr in Reykjavik.
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