Cost of living in Iceland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 36% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 2,542 kr ($19) | $15 | + 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 1,625 kr ($12) | $8 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,138 kr ($8) | $4.34 | + 93% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 157 kr ($1.15) | $0.88 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 730 kr ($5.36) | $2.98 | + 80% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 592 kr ($4.35) | $4.03 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 897 kr ($7) | $6 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 297 kr ($2.18) | $3.36 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 353 kr ($2.59) | $1.77 | + 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 398 kr ($2.92) | $3.16 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 3,452 kr ($25) | $14 | + 76% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 351 kr ($2.58) | $1.94 | + 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 401 kr ($2.94) | $2.04 | + 44% | |
| Housing | - 2% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 235,443 kr ($1,730) | $2,261 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 219,312 kr ($1,611) | $1,626 | - 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 10,000 kr ($73) | $176 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 149,921 kr ($1,101) | $1,630 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 143,138 kr ($1,052) | $1,157 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 5,000 kr ($37) | $109 | - 66% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 12,000 kr ($88) | $47 | + 88% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 109,824 kr ($807) | $296 | + 173% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 50,000 kr ($367) | $118 | + 212% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,500 kr ($26) | $11 | + 139% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 4,424 kr ($32) | $22 | + 48% | |
| Clothes | + 55% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 55% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 17,501 kr ($129) | $49 | + 163% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 7,301 kr ($54) | $45 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 17,572 kr ($129) | $86 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 29,325 kr ($215) | $112 | + 92% | |
| Transportation | + 22% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 22% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,685,050 kr ($27,072) | $22,927 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 191 kr ($1.40) | $0.75 | + 87% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 12,918 kr ($95) | $81 | + 18% | |
| Personal Care | - 17% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,355 kr ($10) | $7 | + 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 1,601 kr ($12) | $20 | - 40% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 5,737 kr ($42) | $111 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 498 kr ($3.66) | $7 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 408 kr ($3.00) | $3.56 | - 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 866 kr ($6) | $5.11 | + 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 392 kr ($2.88) | $3.57 | - 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 403 kr ($2.96) | $1.83 | + 62% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 6,887 kr ($51) | $22 | + 135% | |
| Entertainment | + 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is 38% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 8,424 kr ($62) | $45 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 3,253 kr ($24) | $25 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 12,000 kr ($88) | $222 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 12,000 kr ($88) | $74 | + 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 2,700 kr ($20) | $12 | + 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 650 kr ($4.78) | $4.84 | - 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,035 kr ($8) | $5.82 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 88,913 kr ($653) | $397 | + 65% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 64 kr ($0.47) | $0.19 | + 150% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 8,510 kr ($63) | $53 | + 18% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,700 kr ($12) | $8 | + 55% | |
| TOTAL | + 16% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 43,354 prices entered by 5,578 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00735
USD
/
ISK
Cost of living in Iceland is 16% more expensive than in United States
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