Cost of living in Reykjavik, Iceland vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | + 27% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 27% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 3,127 kr ($25) | $19 | + 26% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,806 kr ($14) | $11 | + 32% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,180 kr ($9) | $5.19 | + 79% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 172 kr ($1.35) | $1.21 | + 12% | |
12 eggs, large | 788 kr ($6) | $3.92 | + 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 578 kr ($4.54) | $4.21 | + 8% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,023 kr ($8) | $7 | + 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 447 kr ($3.51) | $4.37 | - 20% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 375 kr ($2.94) | $2.38 | + 24% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 399 kr ($3.14) | $2.95 | + 6% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 3,367 kr ($26) | $18 | + 47% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 321 kr ($2.52) | $2.37 | + 7% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 327 kr ($2.57) | $2.24 | + 15% | |
Housing | - 21% | |||
Housing in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 21% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 261,838 kr ($2,057) | $3,253 | - 37% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 232,894 kr ($1,829) | $2,659 | - 31% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 18,704 kr ($147) | $149 | - 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 191,469 kr ($1,504) | $2,294 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 155,726 kr ($1,223) | $1,555 | - 21% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 13,134 kr ($103) | $114 | - 9% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 7,440 kr ($58) | $38 | + 53% | |
40” flat screen tv | 101,511 kr ($797) | $329 | + 142% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,102 kr ($189) | $128 | + 48% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 1,913 kr ($15) | $10 | + 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,327 kr ($34) | $37 | - 9% | |
Clothes | + 69% | |||
Clothes in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 69% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 17,416 kr ($137) | $49 | + 180% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 8,404 kr ($66) | $50 | + 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 21,041 kr ($165) | $89 | + 86% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 27,448 kr ($216) | $112 | + 92% | |
Transportation | + 33% | |||
Transportation in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 33% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,711,350 kr ($29,152) | $23,712 | + 23% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 231 kr ($1.81) | $0.92 | + 96% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 12,980 kr ($102) | $81 | + 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 3,332 kr ($26) | $19 | + 39% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 7% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,366 kr ($11) | $7 | + 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,029 kr ($16) | $21 | - 24% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,604 kr ($44) | $110 | - 60% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 661 kr ($5.19) | $7 | - 25% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 604 kr ($4.74) | $3.71 | + 28% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 667 kr ($5.24) | $5.68 | - 8% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 480 kr ($3.77) | $3.57 | + 6% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 414 kr ($3.25) | $1.93 | + 69% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 5,775 kr ($45) | $21 | + 114% | |
Entertainment | - 5% | |||
Entertainment in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 5% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 7,167 kr ($56) | $50 | + 13% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 3,144 kr ($25) | $27 | - 9% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 12,001 kr ($94) | $202 | - 53% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,714 kr ($92) | $89 | + 3% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,559 kr ($20) | $13 | + 55% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 687 kr ($5.40) | $5.70 | - 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,111 kr ($9) | $8 | + 12% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 85,553 kr ($672) | $436 | + 54% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 20 kr ($0.16) | $0.43 | - 63% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,187 kr ($64) | $62 | + 3% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,463 kr ($11) | $9 | + 29% | |
TOTAL | + 5% |

These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00785
USD
/
ISK
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Cost of living in Reykjavik (Iceland) is 5% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, you would need at least $10,183 (1,296,389 kr) in Reykjavik to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $9,700 in San Jose, California.
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