Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Akureyri and Keflavik

For one person, living is cheaper in Keflavik: $3,018 a month against $3,106 in Akureyri, rent and utilities included – about $1,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Akureyri outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

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Cost of Living Index in Keflavik
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Keflavik Living Index

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Akureyri

🇮🇸 Iceland

$3,106

/mo nomad

Keflavik

🇮🇸 Iceland

$3,018

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Akureyri and in Keflavik

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Akureyri and in Keflavik actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Akureyri vs $3,018 in Keflavik, rent included.

Akureyri $3,106
Keflavik $3,018

A couple spends around $4,176 per month in Akureyri vs $4,529 in Keflavik, rent included.

Akureyri $4,176
Keflavik $4,529

A family of three spends $5,246 per month in Akureyri vs $6,041 in Keflavik, rent included.

Akureyri $5,246
Keflavik $6,041

Akureyri costs about 3% more than Keflavik, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Akureyri and Keflavik sit above the global median – Akureyri by 128%, Keflavik by 122%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.94 ISK 3,028

$24.11 ISK 2,927

3.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$129 ISK 15.6K

$121 ISK 14.7K

6.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$22.63 ISK 2,748

$20.25 ISK 2,458

11.75%

Cappuccino

$5.04 ISK 611

$4.22 ISK 513

19.43%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 ISK 406

$3.36 ISK 408

-0.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 ISK 363

$3.03 ISK 368

-1.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$11.22 ISK 1,362

$8.25 ISK 1,001

36.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.62 ISK 1,168

$8.15 ISK 990

18.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.77 ISK 337

$2.11 ISK 256

31.28%

White Bread (500g)

$2.32 ISK 282

$4.21 ISK 512

-44.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.14 ISK 382

$2.50 ISK 303

25.60%

Eggs

$7.65 ISK 928

$6.55 ISK 796

16.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.85 ISK 1,925

$19.70 ISK 2,391

-19.54%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$24.82 ISK 3,013

$23.90 ISK 2,902

3.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$41.71 ISK 5,063

Apples (1kg)

$2.44 ISK 296

Banana (1kg)

$2.92 ISK 354

$2.41 ISK 292

21.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.45 ISK 419

$2.50 ISK 303

38.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.08 ISK 738

$4.16 ISK 504

46.15%

Potato (1kg)

$3.12 ISK 378

Onion (1kg)

$1.64 ISK 199

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.62 ISK 440

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.81 ISK 219

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.71 ISK 1,664

$13.85 ISK 1,681

-1.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.32 ISK 1,981

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.73 ISK 453

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.81 ISK 341

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.68 ISK 447

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$77.2 ISK 9,366

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.35 ISK 771

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.59 ISK 314

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$80.2 ISK 9,738

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.59 ISK 314

$2.00 ISK 243

29.50%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$41.3K ISK 5.0M

$68.2K ISK 8.3M

-39.46%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$65.2K ISK 7.9M

$55.2K ISK 6.7M

18.08%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$121 ISK 14.7K

$95.8 ISK 11.6K

26.15%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.21 ISK 3,061

$32.13 ISK 3,900

-21.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$165 ISK 20.0K

$84.5 ISK 10.3K

94.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$84.3 ISK 10.2K

$76.7 ISK 9,316

9.83%

Cinema Ticket

$15.53 ISK 1,885

$19.58 ISK 2,377

-20.68%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$367 ISK 44.6K

$406 ISK 49.3K

-9.54%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.4K ISK 3.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$80.8 ISK 9,810

$148 ISK 18.0K

-45.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.8 ISK 8,104

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$122 ISK 14.8K

$184 ISK 22.4K

-33.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$190 ISK 23.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,835 ISK 222.7K

$1,862 ISK 226.0K

-1.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,833 ISK 222.5K

$1,359 ISK 165.0K

34.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,527 ISK 306.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,186 ISK 265.4K

$2,040 ISK 247.7K

7.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,596 ISK 800.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,483 ISK 787.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,819 ISK 463.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

9.4

8.81

6.70%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Akureyri: October 25, 2026

Last update for Keflavik: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$1.4K 45%

Groceries & Markets

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$566 18.8%

Eating Out

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$387 12.8%

Clothing & Footwear

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$265 8.8%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$212 7%

Sport & Entertainment

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$116 3.8%

Getting Around

Akureyri

–

Keflavik

$111 3.7%

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,835 in Akureyri versus $1,862 in Keflavik. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $129 in Akureyri versus $121 in Keflavik. Groceries tell a different story – $327 in Akureyri vs $566 in Keflavik – so Akureyri wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know

🇮🇸 Akureyri

🇮🇸 Keflavik

🕒 Local time

08:44 8:44 AM

Same time as Akureyri

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

19,219

15,000

💱 Currency

Icelandic Króna ISK kr

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 ISK = 8.24 USD

1,000 ISK = 7.38 EUR

1,000 ISK = 8.24 USD

1,000 ISK = 7.38 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Akureyri Keflavik 280 km

From you

Akureyri
Keflavik

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Akureyri vs Keflavik: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Akureyri is pricier by about 3%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Akureyri and $4,526 in Keflavik. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,835 in Akureyri and $1,862 in Keflavik. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $129 in Akureyri and $121 in Keflavik. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 42% cheaper in Akureyri – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Akureyri and $3,018 in Keflavik. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Akureyri has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,018 in Keflavik to $3,106 in Akureyri. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.