🙂A single person spends $1,718 per month in Kopavogur vs $3,564 in Selfoss, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,892 per month in Kopavogur vs $2,499 in Selfoss, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,066 per month in Kopavogur vs $1,435 in Selfoss, rent included.
🙂Kopavogur is about 52% cheaper than Selfoss, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Kopavogur and Selfoss sit above the global median – Kopavogur by 28%, Selfoss by 166%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$26.41ISK 3,234
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$95.7ISK 11.7K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$22.29ISK 2,729
$20.26ISK 2,481
10.02%
Cappuccino
$6.17ISK 755
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05ISK 251
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53ISK 309
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.36ISK 1,268
$12.03ISK 1,473
-13.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$11.07ISK 1,355
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72ISK 211
$1.74ISK 213
-1.15%
White Bread(500g)
$4.29ISK 525
$7.26ISK 889
-40.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.66ISK 449
$4.53ISK 555
-19.21%
Eggs
$6.23ISK 763
$6.29ISK 770
-0.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.81ISK 2,181
$16.50ISK 2,021
7.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$23.90ISK 2,926
$20.92ISK 2,561
14.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$42.54ISK 5,209
$33.41ISK 4,091
27.33%
Apples(1kg)
$3.21ISK 393
$2.70ISK 331
18.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53ISK 310
$2.62ISK 320
-3.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.00ISK 368
$2.57ISK 314
16.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.92ISK 603
$7.17ISK 878
-31.38%
Potato(1kg)
$3.59ISK 440
$3.19ISK 391
12.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.45ISK 300
$2.05ISK 251
19.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.14ISK 385
$3.52ISK 431
-10.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.94ISK 237
$1.38ISK 169
40.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.89ISK 1,701
$14.96ISK 1,832
-7.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.73ISK 2,784
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.69ISK 451
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30ISK 404
$1.15ISK 140
186.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.49ISK 550
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$71.3ISK 8,726
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.92ISK 725
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.63ISK 322
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$85.6ISK 10.5K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.54ISK 311
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$47.0KISK 5.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.3KISK 6.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kopavogur
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)
$27.64ISK 3,384
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$83.9ISK 10.3K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.9ISK 8,440
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.65ISK 2,039
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$326ISK 39.9K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$30.2KISK 3.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$137ISK 16.8K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.9ISK 6,358
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$162ISK 19.8K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$264ISK 32.3K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,864ISK 350.7K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,751ISK 826.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,553ISK 802.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,391ISK 660.1K
-
-
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 Kopavogur: April 27, 2026
Last update for Selfoss: 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
Kopavogur vs Selfoss: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Kopavogur and Selfoss compare in cost of living?
Selfoss costs about 107% more than Kopavogur, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
What salary covers living expenses in Kopavogur compared to Selfoss?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,577 per month in Kopavogur and $5,346 in Selfoss. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kopavogur or Selfoss?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,718 in Kopavogur and $3,564 in Selfoss. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Selfoss – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Kopavogur, where all-in costs run around $1,718, than in Selfoss at $3,564. In Kopavogur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Selfoss it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Kopavogur or Selfoss?
Families tend to lean toward Kopavogur – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Kopavogur or Selfoss safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Kopavogur and Selfoss?
If budget matters most, go with Kopavogur. 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.