Cost of Living Comparison Between Hafnarfjordur and Nassau Cost of Living Comparison Between Hafnarfjordur and Nassau

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,851 per month in Hafnarfjordur vs $4,342 in Nassau, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,471 per month in Hafnarfjordur vs $6,929 in Nassau, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,092 per month in Hafnarfjordur vs $9,516 in Nassau, rent included.

Hafnarfjordur is about 11% cheaper than Nassau, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Hafnarfjordur and Nassau sit above the global median – Hafnarfjordur by 180%, Nassau by 216%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.56 ISK 3,582
$38.04 BSD 38.04
-22.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$137 ISK 16.6K
$202 BSD 202
-32.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$16.36 ISK 1,982
$11.86 BSD 11.86
37.94%
Cappuccino
$6.68 ISK 809
$5.42 BSD 5.42
23.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25 ISK 394
$3.32 BSD 3.32
-2.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36 ISK 407
$2.03 BSD 2.03
65.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$14.05 ISK 1,702
$5.12 BSD 5.12
174.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.35 ISK 1,496
$9.24 BSD 9.24
33.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.67 ISK 203
$3.96 BSD 3.96
-57.83%
White Bread (500g)
$4.26 ISK 517
$5.79 BSD 5.79
-26.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.51 ISK 425
$6.87 BSD 6.87
-48.91%
Eggs
$7.30 ISK 885
$7.86 BSD 7.86
-7.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$21.43 ISK 2,596
$10.42 BSD 10.42
105.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.69 ISK 2,991
$17.95 BSD 17.95
37.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$41.85 ISK 5,071
$27.55 BSD 27.55
51.91%
Apples (1kg)
$3.50 ISK 424
$5.53 BSD 5.53
-36.71%
Banana (1kg)
$2.42 ISK 293
$3.51 BSD 3.51
-31.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.18 ISK 385
$5.29 BSD 5.29
-39.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.18 ISK 749
$10.62 BSD 10.62
-41.81%
Potato (1kg)
$3.98 ISK 482
$2.90 BSD 2.90
37.24%
Onion (1kg)
$1.63 ISK 198
$5.43 BSD 5.43
-69.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.85 ISK 466
$5.01 BSD 5.01
-23.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 ISK 214
$2.68 BSD 2.68
-34.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.02 ISK 1,699
$15.06 BSD 15.06
-6.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.64 ISK 2,865
$34.13 BSD 34.13
-30.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.85 ISK 466
$5.66 BSD 5.66
-31.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48 ISK 422
$5.05 BSD 5.05
-31.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.28 ISK 640
$2.53 BSD 2.53
108.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$86.0 ISK 10.4K
$151 BSD 151
-43.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.82 ISK 826
$8.15 BSD 8.15
-16.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.93 ISK 354
$3.04 BSD 3.04
-3.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$72.8 ISK 8,824
$49.94 BSD 49.94
45.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.94 ISK 235
$1.42 BSD 1.42
36.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$51.4K ISK 6.2M
$30.3K BSD 30.3K
69.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$54.5K ISK 6.6M
$43.7K BSD 43.7K
24.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.4 ISK 8,535
$400 BSD 400
-82.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.61 ISK 4,073
$71.6 BSD 71.6
-53.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$83.0 ISK 10.1K
$112 BSD 112
-25.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$65.8 ISK 7,968
$199 BSD 199
-67.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$43.27 BSD 43.27
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.85 ISK 2,042
$19.98 BSD 19.98
-15.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,174 ISK 142.2K
$862 BSD 862
36.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.6K ISK 3.7M
$16.5K BSD 16.5K
86.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$126 ISK 15.3K
$48.12 BSD 48.12
161.85%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.3 ISK 7,910
$121 BSD 121
-45.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$123 ISK 14.9K
$129 BSD 129
-4.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$249 ISK 30.2K
$135 BSD 135
84.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,502 ISK 303.2K
$1,516 BSD 1,516
65.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,095 ISK 253.8K
$1,984 BSD 1,984
5.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,256 ISK 394.6K
$4,742 BSD 4,742
-31.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,668 ISK 323.4K
$3,936 BSD 3,936
-32.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,026 ISK 851.4K
$4,241 BSD 4,241
65.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,897 ISK 835.8K
$3,253 BSD 3,253
112.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hafnarfjordur
Nassau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,807 ISK 582.5K
$3,377 BSD 3,377
42.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.88
7.38
20.33%

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

Last update for Hafnarfjordur: August 29, 2026

Last update for Nassau: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,502 in Hafnarfjordur versus $1,516 in Nassau. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 42% higher in Hafnarfjordur, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $137 in Hafnarfjordur versus $202 in Nassau. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $617 vs $661 – making Hafnarfjordur the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Nassau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hafnarfjordur or Nassau?
Nassau costs about 13% more than Hafnarfjordur, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. 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 Hafnarfjordur and in Nassau?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,776 per month in Hafnarfjordur and $6,512 in Nassau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hafnarfjordur or Nassau?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hafnarfjordur, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Hafnarfjordur compared to Nassau?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,851 in Hafnarfjordur and $4,342 in Nassau. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Hafnarfjordur compared to Nassau?
Public transport costs about 76% less in Hafnarfjordur. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Hafnarfjordur or in Nassau?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,851 in Hafnarfjordur and $4,342 in Nassau. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Hafnarfjordur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Hafnarfjordur compared to Nassau?
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 Hafnarfjordur or to Nassau?
If budget matters most, go with Hafnarfjordur. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nassau makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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