Cost of living in Reykjavik, Iceland vs San Francisco, California, United States
Currency:
Food | + 6% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 6% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,855 kr ($22) | $19 | + 20% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,925 kr ($15) | $9 | + 65% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,123 kr ($9) | $5.20 | + 69% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 174 kr ($1.37) | $1.16 | + 18% | |
12 eggs, large | 788 kr ($6) | $5.18 | + 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 578 kr ($4.53) | $4.92 | - 8% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,023 kr ($8) | $12 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 447 kr ($3.50) | $4.15 | - 16% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 375 kr ($2.94) | $2.18 | + 35% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 404 kr ($3.17) | $5.54 | - 43% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 3,363 kr ($26) | $18 | + 46% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 320 kr ($2.51) | $2.51 | + 0% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 327 kr ($2.57) | $3.82 | - 33% | |
Housing | - 39% | |||
Housing in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 39% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 247,696 kr ($1,943) | $3,960 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 235,776 kr ($1,850) | $3,733 | - 50% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 18,704 kr ($147) | $118 | + 24% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 190,998 kr ($1,499) | $2,997 | - 50% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 155,764 kr ($1,222) | $2,375 | - 49% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 13,134 kr ($103) | $101 | + 2% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 7,440 kr ($58) | $49 | + 18% | |
40” flat screen tv | 97,992 kr ($769) | $518 | + 49% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,102 kr ($189) | $139 | + 36% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,913 kr ($15) | $11 | + 32% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,144 kr ($33) | $42 | - 23% | |
Clothes | + 66% | |||
Clothes in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 66% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 17,416 kr ($137) | $60 | + 129% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 8,404 kr ($66) | $42 | + 57% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,041 kr ($165) | $105 | + 58% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 27,448 kr ($215) | $171 | + 26% | |
Transportation | + 24% | |||
Transportation in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 24% more expensive than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,828,470 kr ($30,039) | $23,327 | + 29% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 234 kr ($1.83) | $0.94 | + 95% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 13,043 kr ($102) | $92 | + 11% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 3,332 kr ($26) | $19 | + 41% | |
Personal Care | - 18% | |||
Personal Care in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 18% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,366 kr ($11) | $9 | + 21% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,999 kr ($16) | $12 | + 31% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 6,835 kr ($54) | $132 | - 59% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 661 kr ($5.19) | $7 | - 27% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 604 kr ($4.74) | $4.80 | - 1% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 676 kr ($5.30) | $8 | - 36% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 485 kr ($3.80) | $4.63 | - 18% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 414 kr ($3.25) | $2.49 | + 30% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 5,671 kr ($44) | $32 | + 37% | |
Entertainment | - 20% | |||
Entertainment in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 20% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 7,096 kr ($56) | $61 | - 9% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 3,082 kr ($24) | $31 | - 22% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 12,001 kr ($94) | $263 | - 64% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,448 kr ($90) | $109 | - 18% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,560 kr ($20) | $14 | + 41% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 656 kr ($5.15) | $5.17 | - 0% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,090 kr ($9) | $9 | - 0% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 85,553 kr ($671) | $405 | + 66% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 20 kr ($0.16) | $0.35 | - 55% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,199 kr ($64) | $111 | - 42% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,474 kr ($12) | $11 | + 1% | |
TOTAL | - 12% |

These prices were last updated on April 12, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00785
USD
/
ISK
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Cost of living in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 12% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $10,514 (1,339,970 kr) in Reykjavik.
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