Cost of living in Iceland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 53% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,674 kr ($21) | $15 | + 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,787 kr ($14) | $8 | + 74% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 961 kr ($8) | $4.27 | + 81% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 190 kr ($1.52) | $0.88 | + 74% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 831 kr ($7) | $2.89 | + 131% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 572 kr ($4.59) | $4.18 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 852 kr ($7) | $6 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 317 kr ($2.54) | $3.45 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 331 kr ($2.66) | $1.76 | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 454 kr ($3.65) | $3.12 | + 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,949 kr ($24) | $14 | + 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 314 kr ($2.52) | $1.99 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 504 kr ($4.04) | $2.19 | + 85% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is 27% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 301,800 kr ($2,423) | $2,198 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 267,065 kr ($2,144) | $1,575 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 33,887 kr ($272) | $179 | + 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 202,644 kr ($1,627) | $1,541 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 170,620 kr ($1,370) | $1,144 | + 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 21,721 kr ($174) | $115 | + 52% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 9,153 kr ($73) | $52 | + 41% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 121,874 kr ($979) | $271 | + 261% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 42,834 kr ($344) | $126 | + 172% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,253 kr ($18) | $11 | + 67% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,355 kr ($35) | $22 | + 58% | |
| Clothes | + 75% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 75% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 16,512 kr ($133) | $47 | + 182% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 7,331 kr ($59) | $43 | + 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 18,754 kr ($151) | $86 | + 75% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 25,104 kr ($202) | $107 | + 88% | |
| Transportation | + 50% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 50% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,899,760 kr ($31,311) | $23,579 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 228 kr ($1.83) | $0.66 | + 175% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 13,260 kr ($106) | $73 | + 46% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 26% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,200 kr ($10) | $7 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,068 kr ($17) | $16 | + 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 9,138 kr ($73) | $111 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 620 kr ($4.98) | $7 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,188 kr ($10) | $3.46 | + 176% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 677 kr ($5.44) | $4.85 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 520 kr ($4.17) | $3.66 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 650 kr ($5.22) | $1.82 | + 187% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 5,217 kr ($42) | $22 | + 91% | |
| Entertainment | + 45% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is 45% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 11,778 kr ($95) | $47 | + 103% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 3,236 kr ($26) | $25 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 20,600 kr ($165) | $199 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 14,645 kr ($118) | $78 | + 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,690 kr ($22) | $12 | + 77% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 599 kr ($4.81) | $4.94 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,095 kr ($9) | $5.65 | + 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 120,000 kr ($963) | $425 | + 127% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 22 kr ($0.17) | $0.25 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 7,357 kr ($59) | $49 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,749 kr ($14) | $8 | + 70% | |
| TOTAL | + 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00803
USD
/
ISK
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 32,286 prices entered by 4,174 different people.
Cost of living in Iceland is 41% more expensive than in United States
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