Cost of living in Iceland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 85% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Iceland is 85% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 7,596 kr ($55) | $20 | + 175% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 2,977 kr ($22) | $11 | + 90% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 1,608 kr ($12) | $5.39 | + 116% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 253 kr ($1.84) | $1.05 | + 75% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 1,036 kr ($8) | $4.31 | + 74% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 774 kr ($5.61) | $4.46 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 1,658 kr ($12) | $7 | + 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 606 kr ($4.39) | $3.98 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 466 kr ($3.38) | $2.05 | + 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 563 kr ($4.08) | $3.25 | + 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 4,329 kr ($31) | $17 | + 89% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 385 kr ($2.79) | $2.85 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 448 kr ($3.25) | $2.66 | + 22% | |
| Housing | + 39% | |||
| Housing in Iceland is 39% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 367,107 kr ($2,661) | $2,917 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 299,893 kr ($2,173) | $2,212 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 222,135 kr ($1,610) | $220 | + 633% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 328,613 kr ($2,382) | $2,027 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 212,082 kr ($1,537) | $1,538 | - 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 31,740 kr ($230) | $149 | + 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 11,660 kr ($85) | $62 | + 36% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 135,104 kr ($979) | $274 | + 257% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 24,394 kr ($177) | $145 | + 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 2,814 kr ($20) | $14 | + 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 5,651 kr ($41) | $32 | + 29% | |
| Clothes | + 113% | |||
| Clothes in Iceland is 113% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 13,152 kr ($95) | $57 | + 68% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 18,714 kr ($136) | $54 | + 150% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 26,530 kr ($192) | $99 | + 94% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 25,574 kr ($185) | $137 | + 36% | |
| Transportation | + 49% | |||
| Transportation in Iceland is 49% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 6,086,940 kr ($44,115) | $29,034 | + 52% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 300 kr ($2.17) | $0.98 | + 123% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 15,435 kr ($112) | $78 | + 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Iceland is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 1,367 kr ($10) | $9 | + 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 3,085 kr ($22) | $26 | - 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 19,528 kr ($142) | $159 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 750 kr ($5.44) | $9 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 665 kr ($4.82) | $4.79 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 948 kr ($7) | $6 | + 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 863 kr ($6) | $4.88 | + 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 577 kr ($4.18) | $2.39 | + 75% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 7,963 kr ($58) | $29 | + 102% | |
| Entertainment | + 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Iceland is 58% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Iceland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 12,694 kr ($92) | $59 | + 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 5,796 kr ($42) | $30 | + 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 17,961 kr ($130) | $214 | - 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 18,942 kr ($137) | $99 | + 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 3,638 kr ($26) | $14 | + 84% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 800 kr ($5.80) | $5.75 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 1,366 kr ($10) | $7 | + 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 172,430 kr ($1,250) | $513 | + 144% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.66 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 25,228 kr ($183) | $65 | + 182% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 1,838 kr ($13) | $10 | + 30% | |
| TOTAL | + 53% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 17,541 prices entered by 2,207 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 08, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.00725
USD
/
ISK
Cost of living in Iceland is 53% more expensive than in United States
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in United States
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 18% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is 26% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Andorra is 15% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Afghanistan is 60% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 21% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Armenia is 45% cheaper than in United States
- Cost of living in Albania is 49% cheaper than in United States