😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,667 in Hafnarfjordur versus $596 in Egilsstadir.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,242 in Hafnarfjordur versus $992 in Egilsstadir.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,816 in Hafnarfjordur versus $1,387 in Egilsstadir.
😐Living in Hafnarfjordur is roughly 516% more expensive than Egilsstadir, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Hafnarfjordur is 174% above, Egilsstadir is 56% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$26.49ISK 3,244
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$145ISK 17.7K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.93ISK 1,951
-
-
Cappuccino
$6.21ISK 760
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37ISK 413
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63ISK 322
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$12.82ISK 1,570
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$11.07ISK 1,356
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61ISK 198
$1.62ISK 199
-0.62%
White Bread(500g)
$4.26ISK 522
$2.86ISK 350
48.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.70ISK 453
$2.44ISK 299
51.64%
Eggs
$6.29ISK 770
$5.64ISK 691
11.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.50ISK 2,266
$21.58ISK 2,643
-14.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.21ISK 2,965
$31.98ISK 3,917
-24.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$42.07ISK 5,152
$42.58ISK 5,215
-1.20%
Apples(1kg)
$3.24ISK 396
$2.69ISK 330
20.45%
Banana(1kg)
$2.40ISK 294
$2.40ISK 293
-
Oranges(1kg)
$3.00ISK 367
$2.38ISK 292
26.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.93ISK 603
$3.72ISK 456
32.53%
Potato(1kg)
$3.51ISK 430
$4.29ISK 526
-18.18%
Onion(1kg)
$2.32ISK 285
$2.12ISK 259
9.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.16ISK 386
$2.18ISK 267
44.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.93ISK 237
$2.15ISK 264
-10.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.78ISK 1,687
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$22.71ISK 2,782
$21.73ISK 2,661
4.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.71ISK 455
$3.87ISK 474
-4.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32ISK 407
$3.29ISK 402
0.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$5.00ISK 612
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$83.2ISK 10.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.31ISK 772
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.61ISK 319
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$87.5ISK 10.7K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.51ISK 308
$2.63ISK 322
-4.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$47.6KISK 5.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$52.6KISK 6.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.6ISK 8,523
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.48ISK 3,366
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.3ISK 10.3K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.1ISK 7,731
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.36ISK 2,003
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$318ISK 39.0K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.3KISK 3.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120ISK 14.7K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.6ISK 7,423
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121ISK 14.8K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$263ISK 32.3K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,442ISK 299.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,047ISK 250.7K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,209ISK 393.1K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,523ISK 309.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,916ISK 847.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,027ISK 860.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hafnarfjordur
Egilsstadir
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,789ISK 586.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.63
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hafnarfjordur: April 26, 2026
Last update for Egilsstadir: April 28, 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
Hafnarfjordur vs Egilsstadir: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egilsstadir cheaper than Hafnarfjordur?
Egilsstadir is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 516% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $5,501 in Hafnarfjordur and $893 in Egilsstadir to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Hafnarfjordur and Egilsstadir?
Shoppers in Hafnarfjordur pay roughly 3% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Hafnarfjordur vs Egilsstadir?
All in, you'll spend $3,667 per month in Hafnarfjordur versus $596 in Egilsstadir – a 516% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Hafnarfjordur or Egilsstadir?
At $596 in Egilsstadir versus $3,667 in Hafnarfjordur, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Egilsstadir but tight or insufficient in Hafnarfjordur. The gap between the two cities makes Egilsstadir the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Hafnarfjordur or Egilsstadir?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Hafnarfjordur or Egilsstadir?
Safety-wise, Hafnarfjordur and Egilsstadir 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 Egilsstadir gentler on the wallet – expenses run 516% less than in Hafnarfjordur. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Hafnarfjordur vs other spots: cost of living compared