Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Hafnarfjordur

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $918 a month against $3,877 in Hafnarfjordur, rent and utilities included – about $35,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$918
/mo nomad
Hafnarfjordur
🇮🇸 Iceland
$3,877
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cebu and in Hafnarfjordur

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $918 in Cebu versus $3,877 in Hafnarfjordur.

  • Cebu $918
  • Hafnarfjordur $3,877

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Cebu versus $5,400 in Hafnarfjordur.

  • Cebu $1,409
  • Hafnarfjordur $5,400

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,900 in Cebu versus $6,923 in Hafnarfjordur.

  • Cebu $1,900
  • Hafnarfjordur $6,923

Living in Cebu costs roughly 76% less than in Hafnarfjordur, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Cebu is 32% below, Hafnarfjordur is 187% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.09 ₱194
$31.03 ISK 3,763
-90.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.22 ₱1,525
$124 ISK 15.0K
-80.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.92 ₱247
$16.27 ISK 1,973
-75.91%
Cappuccino
$2.51 ₱158
$6.88 ISK 835
-63.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₱100
$3.27 ISK 396
-51.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.43
$3.07 ISK 372
-82.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.78 ₱112
$14.18 ISK 1,720
-87.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₱137
$12.22 ISK 1,482
-82.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 ₱121
$1.70 ISK 207
12.94%
White Bread (500g)
$1.36 ₱85.4
$4.18 ISK 507
-67.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.01 ₱63.5
$3.61 ISK 438
-72.02%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱128
$7.19 ISK 872
-71.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.86 ₱621
$21.88 ISK 2,654
-54.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.39 ₱277
$24.76 ISK 3,003
-82.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.60 ₱479
$42.29 ISK 5,130
-82.03%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 ₱208
$3.41 ISK 413
-3.23%
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 ₱87.8
$2.50 ISK 303
-44.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 ₱147
$3.18 ISK 386
-26.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.3
$6.33 ISK 767
-76.30%
Potato (1kg)
$2.36 ₱149
$3.87 ISK 469
-39.02%
Onion (1kg)
$1.90 ₱119
$1.69 ISK 205
12.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 ₱74.9
$3.69 ISK 447
-67.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 ₱39.71
$1.81 ISK 220
-65.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 ₱189
$13.80 ISK 1,674
-78.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.03 ₱379
$23.94 ISK 2,904
-74.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱77.7
$3.54 ISK 430
-65.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱110
$3.43 ISK 416
-48.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 ₱15.86
$5.21 ISK 632
-95.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.64 ₱796
$85.4 ISK 10.4K
-85.20%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱48.62
$6.58 ISK 798
-88.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.53
$2.80 ISK 339
-91.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.46 ₱281
$80.9 ISK 9,810
-94.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.31 ₱82.8
$2.04 ISK 248
-35.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.3M
$51.3K ISK 6.2M
-58.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K ₱1.2M
$53.3K ISK 6.5M
-64.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 ₱7,569
$70.7 ISK 8,571
70.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.00 ₱882
$33.02 ISK 4,005
-57.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.54 ₱1,734
$87.0 ISK 10.6K
-68.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.33 ₱2,035
$64.9 ISK 7,870
-50.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 ₱419
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.65 ₱356
$17.05 ISK 2,068
-66.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$275 ₱17.3K
$1,196 ISK 145.1K
-76.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,918 ₱498.5K
$25.8K ISK 3.1M
-69.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33 ₱3,106
$124 ISK 15.0K
-60.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ₱1,589
$65.8 ISK 7,980
-61.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.0 ₱4,846
$125 ISK 15.2K
-38.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.2 ₱3,601
$252 ISK 30.6K
-77.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$500 ₱31.5K
$2,498 ISK 302.9K
-80.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ₱19.4K
$2,087 ISK 253.1K
-85.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 ₱67.9K
$3,226 ISK 391.3K
-66.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$615 ₱38.7K
$2,607 ISK 316.2K
-76.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,886 ₱181.7K
$7,085 ISK 859.4K
-59.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,917 ₱120.7K
$6,990 ISK 847.8K
-72.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cebu
Hafnarfjordur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 ₱21.8K
$4,751 ISK 576.2K
-92.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
8.81
-18.27%

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

Last update for Cebu: October 12, 2026

Last update for Hafnarfjordur: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cebu
$309
Hafnarfjordur
$2.1K 576% $1.8K
Groceries & Markets
Cebu
$206
Hafnarfjordur
$619 201% $413
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cebu
$162
Hafnarfjordur
$191 17.9% $29
Clothing & Footwear
Cebu
$94
Hafnarfjordur
$255 172% $161
Eating Out
Cebu
$88
Hafnarfjordur
$500 467% $412
Sport & Entertainment
Cebu
$44
Hafnarfjordur
$99 127% $55
Getting Around
Cebu
$16
Hafnarfjordur
$127 715% $111

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $500 in Cebu and $2,498 in Hafnarfjordur. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Hafnarfjordur pays 1273% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $24.00 in Cebu vs $124 in Hafnarfjordur for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $206 vs $619 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Cebu
🇮🇸 Hafnarfjordur
🕒 Local time
13:25 1:25 PM
05:25 5:25 AM
8 h behind Cebu
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
964,169
31,525
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ISK, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Icelandic Króna exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 121 ISK (1,000 ISK = 8.24 USD). 1 EUR = 136 ISK (1,000 ISK = 7.33 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cebu Hafnarfjordur 11,260 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cebu
  • Hafnarfjordur

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
Cebu vs Hafnarfjordur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hafnarfjordur cheaper than Cebu?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 322% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cebu or Hafnarfjordur?
On paper, salaries run 1273% lower in Hafnarfjordur. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Cebu and Hafnarfjordur?
Rent for a central apartment: $500 in Cebu versus $2,498 in Hafnarfjordur. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Cebu and in Hafnarfjordur?
All in, you'll spend $918 per month in Cebu versus $3,877 in Hafnarfjordur – a 322% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Cebu runs roughly 576% less than in Hafnarfjordur. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cebu or in Hafnarfjordur?
At $918 in Cebu versus $3,877 in Hafnarfjordur, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Hafnarfjordur. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cebu or Hafnarfjordur more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Hafnarfjordur, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Hafnarfjordur?
Safety-wise, Cebu and Hafnarfjordur are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cebu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 322% less than in Hafnarfjordur. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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