Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kopavogur and Selfoss

For one person, living is cheaper in Kopavogur: $1,830 a month against $3,416 in Selfoss, rent and utilities included – about $19,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Selfoss outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Kopavogur, Iceland
Selfoss, Iceland
Kopavogur
🇮🇸 Iceland
$1,830
/mo nomad
Selfoss
🇮🇸 Iceland
$3,416
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kopavogur and in Selfoss

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

A single person spends $1,830 per month in Kopavogur vs $3,416 in Selfoss, rent included.

  • Kopavogur $1,830
  • Selfoss $3,416

A couple spends around $3,039 per month in Kopavogur vs $2,439 in Selfoss, rent included.

  • Kopavogur $3,039
  • Selfoss $2,439

A family of three spends $4,248 per month in Kopavogur vs $1,461 in Selfoss, rent included.

  • Kopavogur $4,248
  • Selfoss $1,461

Kopavogur is about 46% cheaper than Selfoss.

Both Kopavogur and Selfoss sit above the global median – Kopavogur by 34%, Selfoss by 151%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.95 ISK 3,758
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.1 ISK 10.7K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$23.70 ISK 2,878
$20.39 ISK 2,475
16.23%
Cappuccino
$6.55 ISK 795
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 ISK 368
-
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 ISK 388
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$10.84 ISK 1,316
$12.18 ISK 1,478
-11.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.15 ISK 1,475
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.68 ISK 204
$1.77 ISK 215
-5.08%
White Bread (500g)
$4.32 ISK 525
$7.65 ISK 929
-43.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.59 ISK 436
$4.55 ISK 552
-21.10%
Eggs
$7.24 ISK 879
$6.49 ISK 787
11.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$21.70 ISK 2,634
$17.25 ISK 2,094
25.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.62 ISK 2,989
$21.56 ISK 2,617
14.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$42.67 ISK 5,181
$33.60 ISK 4,078
26.99%
Apples (1kg)
$3.31 ISK 401
$2.83 ISK 343
16.96%
Banana (1kg)
$2.87 ISK 348
$2.70 ISK 328
6.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.16 ISK 384
$2.72 ISK 330
16.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.40 ISK 777
$7.25 ISK 880
-11.72%
Potato (1kg)
$3.95 ISK 479
$3.24 ISK 394
21.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.69 ISK 205
$2.07 ISK 252
-18.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.68 ISK 447
$3.70 ISK 449
-0.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 ISK 224
$1.34 ISK 163
37.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.82 ISK 1,678
$15.61 ISK 1,895
-11.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.64 ISK 2,870
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.58 ISK 435
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36 ISK 408
$1.15 ISK 140
192.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.49 ISK 545
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.3 ISK 8,778
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.93 ISK 720
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.86 ISK 348
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$80.4 ISK 9,755
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.03 ISK 247
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$70.1K ISK 8.5M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$55.1K ISK 6.7M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$96.0 ISK 11.6K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.17 ISK 3,905
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$86.9 ISK 10.6K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.8 ISK 8,591
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.0 ISK 6,439
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.73 ISK 2,031
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$489 ISK 59.4K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.5K ISK 3.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$147 ISK 17.9K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 ISK 6,450
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$163 ISK 19.8K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$253 ISK 30.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,771 ISK 336.4K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,640 ISK 806.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,533 ISK 793.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kopavogur
Selfoss
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,258 ISK 638.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.81
0
-

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

Last update for Kopavogur: October 24, 2026

Last update for Selfoss: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Kopavogur
$622
Selfoss
–
Eating Out
Kopavogur
$501
Selfoss
–
Clothing & Footwear
Kopavogur
$278
Selfoss
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kopavogur
$215
Selfoss
–
Getting Around
Kopavogur
$111
Selfoss
–
Sport & Entertainment
Kopavogur
$104
Selfoss
–
Accommodation & Living
Kopavogur
- *
Selfoss
–

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Good to know
🇮🇸 Kopavogur
🇮🇸 Selfoss
🕒 Local time
22:11 10:11 PM
22:11 10:11 PM
Same time as Kopavogur
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
39,335
9,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ISK – Icelandic Króna Converter

Icelandic Króna exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 121 ISK (1,000 ISK = 8.24 USD). 1 EUR = 136 ISK (1,000 ISK = 7.38 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Kopavogur Selfoss 48 km
From you
  • Kopavogur
  • Selfoss

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
Kopavogur vs Selfoss: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What salary covers living expenses in Kopavogur compared to Selfoss?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,745 per month in Kopavogur and $5,124 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 $1,830 in Kopavogur and $3,416 in Selfoss. That makes Kopavogur about 46% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Selfoss – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
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 $1,830, than in Selfoss at $3,416. In Kopavogur it covers expenses comfortably, while in Selfoss it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Kopavogur and Selfoss?
It depends on your priorities. Kopavogur has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,830 in Kopavogur to $3,416 in Selfoss. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Kopavogur or Selfoss safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Kopavogur vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?