Cost of living in Iceland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 41% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 3,692 kr ($27) | $20 | + 37% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,739 kr ($20) | $10 | + 93% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,374 kr ($10) | $5.75 | + 73% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 250 kr ($1.82) | $1.08 | + 68% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 860 kr ($6) | $4.95 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 653 kr ($4.74) | $4.65 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,286 kr ($9) | $7 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 361 kr ($2.62) | $4.51 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 386 kr ($2.80) | $2.36 | + 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 662 kr ($4.80) | $3.26 | + 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 5,644 kr ($41) | $16 | + 162% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 353 kr ($2.56) | $2.92 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 457 kr ($3.32) | $2.83 | + 17% | |
| Housing | + 9% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is 9% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 327,935 kr ($2,380) | $2,965 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 277,000 kr ($2,010) | $2,266 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 65,177 kr ($473) | $224 | + 111% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 252,658 kr ($1,834) | $1,996 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 189,329 kr ($1,374) | $1,511 | - 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 42,933 kr ($312) | $150 | + 107% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 6,518 kr ($47) | $64 | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 90,826 kr ($659) | $294 | + 124% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 33,068 kr ($240) | $141 | + 71% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,317 kr ($24) | $14 | + 72% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 10,968 kr ($80) | $32 | + 145% | |
| Clothes | + 133% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 133% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 17,972 kr ($130) | $56 | + 132% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 15,761 kr ($114) | $48 | + 140% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 27,859 kr ($202) | $95 | + 112% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 39,522 kr ($287) | $126 | + 128% | |
| Transportation | + 40% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 40% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,184,340 kr ($44,882) | $27,752 | + 62% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 309 kr ($2.24) | $1.03 | + 118% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 14,620 kr ($106) | $83 | + 28% | |
| Personal Care | + 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 47% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 713 kr ($5.17) | $9 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,600 kr ($26) | $24 | + 11% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 24,000 kr ($174) | $151 | + 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 1,114 kr ($8) | $9 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 2,112 kr ($15) | $4.89 | + 214% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 861 kr ($6) | $7 | - 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 1,097 kr ($8) | $4.89 | + 63% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 653 kr ($4.74) | $2.20 | + 115% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 7,223 kr ($52) | $29 | + 83% | |
| Entertainment | + 70% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is 70% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 10,589 kr ($77) | $56 | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 5,350 kr ($39) | $29 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 28,094 kr ($204) | $230 | - 11% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 22,215 kr ($161) | $91 | + 77% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,419 kr ($25) | $14 | + 78% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 828 kr ($6) | $5.40 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,777 kr ($13) | $7 | + 96% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 188,000 kr ($1,364) | $558 | + 145% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 70 kr ($0.51) | $0.20 | + 157% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 12,295 kr ($89) | $61 | + 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,745 kr ($13) | $10 | + 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 37% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 21,986 prices entered by 2,772 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00726
USD
/
ISK
Cost of living in Iceland is 37% more expensive than in United States
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