Cost of living comparison
United States is 42.3% more expensive than Iceland overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 14.2% less in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 12.0% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 26.7% less in United States
- Housing
-
pay 33.6% more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 4.5 times more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 14.2% less in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 42.1% less in United States
The cost of childcare, housing, and groceries in United States are more expensive than in Iceland. Expenses including clothing, transportation, restaurants, and entertainment and sports are lower in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Iceland, you would:
pay 14.2% less for restaurants
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$19.40
ISK2,608
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$16.94
ISK2,278
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.81
ISK378
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.02
ISK272
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 12.0% more for groceries
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.95
ISK397
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.27
ISK977
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.01
ISK808
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$5.42
ISK729
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$8.51
ISK1,144
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.22
ISK165
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.03
ISK138
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.17
ISK157
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.87
ISK252
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.23
ISK166
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.78
ISK106
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 26.7% less for transportation
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$8.36
ISK1,124
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$71.28
ISK9,584
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$40,660.66
ISK5,467,232
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$22.04
ISK2,963
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 33.6% more for housing
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$72.17
ISK9,705
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,838.04
ISK247,143
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,497.77
ISK201,390
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$58.01
ISK7,801
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 4.5 times more for childcare
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$258.16
ISK34,713
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$5,993.99
ISK805,952
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 14.2% less for entertainment and sports
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$9.19
ISK1,235
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.65
ISK625
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$11.76
ISK1,581
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.46
ISK8,264
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.35
ISK1,929
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 42.1% less for clothing
|
Iceland
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$111.23
ISK14,956
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$59.69
ISK8,026
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$148.00
ISK19,900
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$184.49
ISK24,807
|
$111.08
|
|
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