Cost of Living Comparison Between Kopavogur and Selfoss Cost of Living Comparison Between Kopavogur and Selfoss

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,820 per month in Kopavogur vs $3,496 in Selfoss, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,023 per month in Kopavogur vs $2,470 in Selfoss, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,226 per month in Kopavogur vs $1,444 in Selfoss, rent included.

Kopavogur is about 48% cheaper than Selfoss, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Kopavogur and Selfoss sit above the global median – Kopavogur by 33%, Selfoss by 156%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.20 ISK 3,678

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.7 ISK 10.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$24.76 ISK 3,016

$20.93 ISK 2,549

18.30%

Cappuccino

$6.59 ISK 802

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.03 ISK 369

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 ISK 394

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.87 ISK 1,324

$12.41 ISK 1,512

-12.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$12.20 ISK 1,486

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 ISK 205

$1.76 ISK 215

-4.55%

White Bread (500g)

$4.42 ISK 539

$7.28 ISK 886

-39.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.59 ISK 437

$4.49 ISK 546

-20.04%

Eggs

$7.19 ISK 875

$6.59 ISK 802

9.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$21.58 ISK 2,629

$17.00 ISK 2,071

26.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$24.52 ISK 2,987

$21.05 ISK 2,564

16.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$42.80 ISK 5,213

$34.45 ISK 4,196

24.24%

Apples (1kg)

$3.38 ISK 412

$2.74 ISK 333

23.36%

Banana (1kg)

$2.83 ISK 345

$2.70 ISK 329

4.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.28 ISK 399

$2.64 ISK 321

24.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.49 ISK 791

$7.04 ISK 857

-7.81%

Potato (1kg)

$4.09 ISK 498

$3.27 ISK 398

25.08%

Onion (1kg)

$1.71 ISK 209

$2.17 ISK 264

-21.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.65 ISK 445

$3.56 ISK 433

2.53%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 ISK 214

$1.42 ISK 173

23.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.25 ISK 1,735

$15.55 ISK 1,894

-8.36%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.97 ISK 2,920

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.73 ISK 454

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.36 ISK 409

$1.18 ISK 144

184.75%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.56 ISK 556

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.7 ISK 9,221

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.96 ISK 726

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.80 ISK 341

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$75.5 ISK 9,196

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.94 ISK 237

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$51.5K ISK 6.3M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$54.0K ISK 6.6M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$89.3 ISK 10.9K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$32.72 ISK 3,985

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$83.8 ISK 10.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.7 ISK 8,608

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$53.5 ISK 6,520

Cinema Ticket

$17.23 ISK 2,099

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$477 ISK 58.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K ISK 3.7M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$151 ISK 18.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.3 ISK 6,616

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$165 ISK 20.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$251 ISK 30.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,832 ISK 344.9K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,709 ISK 817.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,469 ISK 788.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,341 ISK 650.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.88

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

Last update for Kopavogur: September 14, 2026

Last update for Selfoss: September 12, 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

Selfoss costs about 92% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,730 per month in Kopavogur and $5,244 in Selfoss. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,820 in Kopavogur and $3,496 in Selfoss. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

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.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Kopavogur, where all-in costs run around $1,820, than in Selfoss at $3,496. In Kopavogur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Selfoss it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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.

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.