Cost of living in Iceland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 52% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 52% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 4,437 kr ($34) | $17 | + 93% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,053 kr ($16) | $9 | + 70% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,018 kr ($8) | $5.11 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 236 kr ($1.79) | $0.99 | + 80% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 720 kr ($5.45) | $3.34 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 706 kr ($5.35) | $4.43 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,069 kr ($8) | $7 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 270 kr ($2.05) | $3.93 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 414 kr ($3.14) | $1.92 | + 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 463 kr ($3.51) | $3.30 | + 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 2,821 kr ($21) | $16 | + 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 338 kr ($2.56) | $2.26 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 492 kr ($3.73) | $2.47 | + 51% | |
| Housing | + 17% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 334,278 kr ($2,533) | $2,517 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 287,466 kr ($2,178) | $1,960 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 54,829 kr ($415) | $204 | + 104% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 207,933 kr ($1,575) | $1,774 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 197,248 kr ($1,494) | $1,342 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 30,820 kr ($234) | $139 | + 68% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 8,104 kr ($61) | $56 | + 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 94,218 kr ($714) | $300 | + 138% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 48,000 kr ($364) | $135 | + 170% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 3,700 kr ($28) | $12 | + 129% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 6,316 kr ($48) | $27 | + 79% | |
| Clothes | + 99% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 99% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 15,379 kr ($117) | $51 | + 128% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 11,736 kr ($89) | $46 | + 93% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 27,493 kr ($208) | $92 | + 126% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 26,006 kr ($197) | $120 | + 64% | |
| Transportation | + 30% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 30% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 3,937,100 kr ($29,829) | $25,474 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 300 kr ($2.27) | $1.06 | + 115% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 12,696 kr ($96) | $77 | + 25% | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 13% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 680 kr ($5.15) | $7 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 2,068 kr ($16) | $19 | - 18% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 10,000 kr ($76) | $125 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 950 kr ($7) | $7 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 1,395 kr ($11) | $4.17 | + 154% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 685 kr ($5.19) | $5.50 | - 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 638 kr ($4.83) | $4.18 | + 16% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 454 kr ($3.44) | $2.05 | + 68% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 7,203 kr ($55) | $25 | + 115% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 4,944 kr ($37) | $49 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 3,278 kr ($25) | $27 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 35,000 kr ($265) | $196 | + 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 14,878 kr ($113) | $84 | + 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,005 kr ($23) | $13 | + 77% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 616 kr ($4.67) | $5.19 | - 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,191 kr ($9) | $6 | + 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 11,800 kr ($89) | $492 | - 82% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 20 kr ($0.15) | $0.17 | - 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 7,344 kr ($56) | $53 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 2,033 kr ($15) | $9 | + 68% | |
| TOTAL | + 26% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00758
USD
/
ISK
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,261 prices entered by 2,627 different people.
Cost of living in Iceland is 26% more expensive than in United States
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