🙂A single person spends $1,661 per month in Blonduos vs $3,563 in Selfoss, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,872 per month in Blonduos vs $2,509 in Selfoss, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,083 per month in Blonduos vs $1,455 in Selfoss, rent included.
🙂Blonduos is about 53% cheaper than Selfoss, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Blonduos and Selfoss sit above the global median – Blonduos by 22%, Selfoss by 163%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.52ISK 3,497
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$134ISK 16.4K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$26.25ISK 3,218
$20.56ISK 2,521
27.68%
Cappuccino
$6.67ISK 818
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31ISK 405
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14ISK 385
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$13.64ISK 1,672
$12.22ISK 1,498
11.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$12.13ISK 1,488
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.09ISK 256
$1.74ISK 214
20.11%
White Bread(500g)
$4.22ISK 517
$7.19ISK 882
-41.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.53ISK 432
$4.36ISK 534
-19.04%
Eggs
$7.04ISK 863
$6.47ISK 793
8.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.54ISK 2,518
$16.89ISK 2,071
21.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.65ISK 3,023
$20.89ISK 2,561
18.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$41.52ISK 5,090
$33.29ISK 4,081
24.72%
Apples(1kg)
$3.28ISK 402
$2.75ISK 337
19.27%
Banana(1kg)
$2.82ISK 346
$2.62ISK 321
7.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.25ISK 399
$2.66ISK 326
22.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.27ISK 768
$6.99ISK 857
-10.30%
Potato(1kg)
$3.94ISK 484
$3.12ISK 382
26.28%
Onion(1kg)
$1.62ISK 199
$2.15ISK 263
-24.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.42ISK 419
$3.54ISK 434
-3.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74ISK 213
$1.33ISK 163
30.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.99ISK 1,716
$15.17ISK 1,860
-7.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.21ISK 2,845
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.76ISK 460
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29ISK 403
$1.10ISK 135
199.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.71ISK 822
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.72ISK 334
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$74.4ISK 9,115
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.04ISK 250
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$51.1KISK 6.3M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.3KISK 6.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$87.8ISK 10.8K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.04ISK 4,051
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$83.1ISK 10.2K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Cinema Ticket
$19.39ISK 2,377
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,113ISK 136.5K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.3KISK 3.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$157ISK 19.2K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.6ISK 8,160
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$192ISK 23.6K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$242ISK 29.7K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,932ISK 359.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Blonduos
Selfoss
Difference
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.1
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Blonduos: August 3, 2026
Last update for Selfoss: August 1, 2026
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
Blonduos vs Selfoss: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Blonduos or Selfoss?
Selfoss costs about 115% more than Blonduos, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Blonduos and in Selfoss?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,491 per month in Blonduos and $5,345 in Selfoss. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Blonduos compared to Selfoss?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,661 in Blonduos and $3,563 in Selfoss. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Blonduos or in Selfoss?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Selfoss – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Blonduos or in Selfoss?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Blonduos, where all-in costs run around $1,661, than in Selfoss at $3,563. In Blonduos it covers expenses comfortably, while in Selfoss it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Blonduos – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Blonduos compared to Selfoss?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Blonduos or to Selfoss?
If budget matters most, go with Blonduos. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Selfoss makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.