Cost of living in Iceland compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 226% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 226% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 7,596 kr (¥8,382) | ¥1,025 | + 718% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,977 kr (¥3,285) | ¥803 | + 309% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,608 kr (¥1,774) | ¥518 | + 242% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 253 kr (¥280) | ¥223 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,036 kr (¥1,143) | ¥320 | + 258% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 774 kr (¥854) | ¥564 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,658 kr (¥1,829) | ¥1,287 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 606 kr (¥669) | ¥611 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 466 kr (¥514) | ¥399 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 563 kr (¥621) | ¥307 | + 102% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,329 kr (¥4,777) | ¥1,249 | + 283% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 385 kr (¥425) | ¥208 | + 105% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 448 kr (¥494) | ¥176 | + 181% | |
| Housing | + 125% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is 125% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 415,163 kr (¥458,112) | ¥386,792 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 344,698 kr (¥380,358) | ¥198,149 | + 92% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 222,135 kr (¥245,115) | ¥20,112 | + 1119% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 340,133 kr (¥375,320) | ¥167,408 | + 124% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 252,240 kr (¥278,335) | ¥104,544 | + 166% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 31,740 kr (¥35,023) | ¥13,280 | + 164% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 11,660 kr (¥12,866) | ¥4,420 | + 191% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 135,104 kr (¥149,081) | ¥61,842 | + 141% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,394 kr (¥26,918) | ¥10,283 | + 162% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,814 kr (¥3,105) | ¥1,221 | + 154% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5,651 kr (¥6,236) | ¥2,831 | + 120% | |
| Clothes | + 207% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 207% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 13,152 kr (¥14,512) | ¥8,264 | + 76% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 18,714 kr (¥20,650) | ¥5,233 | + 295% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 26,530 kr (¥29,274) | ¥9,604 | + 205% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 25,574 kr (¥28,220) | ¥12,490 | + 126% | |
| Transportation | + 50% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 50% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,086,940 kr (¥6,716,646) | ¥3,019,750 | + 122% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 300 kr (¥331) | ¥170 | + 95% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 10,800 kr (¥11,917) | ¥9,067 | + 31% | |
| Personal Care | + 55% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 55% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,367 kr (¥1,509) | ¥2,133 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,085 kr (¥3,404) | ¥2,993 | + 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 19,528 kr (¥21,548) | ¥6,000 | + 259% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 750 kr (¥828) | ¥1,337 | - 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 665 kr (¥734) | ¥948 | - 23% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 948 kr (¥1,046) | ¥622 | + 68% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 863 kr (¥952) | ¥224 | + 325% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 577 kr (¥637) | ¥204 | + 212% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 7,963 kr (¥8,786) | ¥4,495 | + 95% | |
| Entertainment | + 111% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is 111% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Iceland | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 9,486 kr (¥10,467) | ¥5,113 | + 105% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 5,796 kr (¥6,396) | ¥3,873 | + 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 17,961 kr (¥19,819) | ¥12,839 | + 54% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 11,715 kr (¥12,927) | ¥8,204 | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,638 kr (¥4,014) | ¥1,237 | + 224% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 811 kr (¥895) | ¥547 | + 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,366 kr (¥1,508) | ¥674 | + 124% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 172,430 kr (¥190,268) | ¥51,659 | + 268% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | ¥52 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 25,228 kr (¥27,838) | ¥9,530 | + 192% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,827 kr (¥2,016) | ¥598 | + 237% | |
| TOTAL | + 120% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 869 prices entered by 153 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.103
JPY
/
ISK
Cost of living in Iceland is 120% more expensive than in Japan
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