Cost of living comparison
California is 71.2% more expensive than Iceland overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 5.1% less in California
- Groceries
-
pay 20.6% more in California
- Transportation
-
pay 22.6% less in California
- Housing
-
pay 64.3% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 5.8 times more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 1.5% less in California
- Clothing
-
pay 41.0% less in California
The cost of childcare, housing, and groceries in California are more expensive than in Iceland. Expenses including clothing, transportation, restaurants, and entertainment and sports are lower in California. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in California.
If you lived in California instead of Iceland, you would:
pay 5.1% less for restaurants
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$19.40
ISK2,717
|
$21.02
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$16.94
ISK2,373
|
$11.52
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.81
ISK394
|
$2.71
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.02
ISK283
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 20.6% more for groceries
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.95
ISK414
|
$4.14
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.27
ISK1,017
|
$6.95
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.01
ISK841
|
$4.61
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$5.42
ISK759
|
$4.33
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$8.51
ISK1,191
|
$5.70
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$1.22
ISK171
|
$2.34
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.03
ISK144
|
$0.92
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.17
ISK164
|
$1.91
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.87
ISK262
|
$2.38
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.23
ISK173
|
$1.39
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$0.78
ISK110
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 22.6% less for transportation
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$8.36
ISK1,171
|
$4.83
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$71.28
ISK9,983
|
$62.05
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$40,660.66
ISK5,694,526
|
$30,005.28
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$22.04
ISK3,086
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 64.3% more for housing
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$72.17
ISK10,108
|
$68.54
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,838.04
ISK257,417
|
$2,371.29
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,497.77
ISK209,763
|
$2,055.18
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$58.01
ISK8,125
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 5.8 times more for childcare
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$258.16
ISK36,156
|
$1,682.51
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$5,993.99
ISK839,459
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 1.5% less for entertainment and sports
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$9.19
ISK1,287
|
$7.00
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.65
ISK651
|
$5.34
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$11.76
ISK1,646
|
$10.91
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.46
ISK8,607
|
$66.35
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.35
ISK2,009
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 41.0% less for clothing
Iceland
|
California
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$111.23
ISK15,578
|
$52.77
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$59.69
ISK8,359
|
$40.15
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$148.00
ISK20,727
|
$85.15
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$184.49
ISK25,838
|
$117.31
|
|
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