Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Reykjavik and Cerquilho

For one person, living is cheaper in Cerquilho: $805 a month against $4,023 in Reykjavik, rent and utilities included – about $38,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Reykjavik
🇮🇸 Iceland
$4,023
/mo nomad
Cerquilho
🇧🇷 Brazil
$805
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Reykjavik and in Cerquilho

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

A single person spends $4,023 per month in Reykjavik vs $805 in Cerquilho, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $4,023
  • Cerquilho $805

A couple spends around $5,708 per month in Reykjavik vs $1,302 in Cerquilho, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $5,708
  • Cerquilho $1,302

A family of three spends $7,393 per month in Reykjavik vs $1,799 in Cerquilho, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $7,393
  • Cerquilho $1,799

Reykjavik costs about 400% more than Cerquilho, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Reykjavik sits 197% above the global median, while Cerquilho is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$31.00 ISK 3,760
$6.97 R$35.32
344.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$123 ISK 14.9K
$31.49 R$160
291.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$27.21 ISK 3,300
$8.07 R$40.92
237.17%
Cappuccino
$6.90 ISK 837
$1.96 R$9.92
252.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ISK 401
$1.61 R$8.18
104.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 ISK 384
$1.15 R$5.83
174.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.84 ISK 1,678
$1.17 R$5.94
1082.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.46 ISK 1,512
$2.98 R$15.10
318.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.06 ISK 250
$1.25 R$6.34
64.80%
White Bread (500g)
$4.11 ISK 498
$1.64 R$8.29
150.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.68 ISK 446
$1.20 R$6.06
206.67%
Eggs
$7.27 ISK 882
$2.82 R$14.27
157.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$21.79 ISK 2,643
$8.91 R$45.18
144.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$23.95 ISK 2,905
$1.98 R$10.04
1109.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$41.43 ISK 5,025
$6.03 R$30.58
587.06%
Apples (1kg)
$3.42 ISK 414
$1.97 R$10.01
73.60%
Banana (1kg)
$2.84 ISK 344
$1.89 R$9.60
50.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.23 ISK 391
$1.18 R$5.98
173.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.46 ISK 783
$1.82 R$9.21
254.95%
Potato (1kg)
$4.05 ISK 491
$1.36 R$6.89
197.79%
Onion (1kg)
$1.66 ISK 202
$0.62 R$3.12
167.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.86 ISK 468
$0.91 R$4.61
324.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 ISK 223
$0.59 R$2.99
211.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.96 ISK 1,693
$1.42 R$7.20
883.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.76 ISK 2,882
$8.79 R$44.55
170.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.54 ISK 430
$1.17 R$5.91
202.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 ISK 418
$2.04 R$10.36
68.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.81 ISK 705
$1.01 R$5.10
475.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$95.3 ISK 11.6K
$43.66 R$221
118.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.72 ISK 815
$1.33 R$6.76
405.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.81 ISK 340
$1.42 R$7.20
97.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$81.3 ISK 9,866
$9.47 R$48.03
758.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.12 ISK 257
$1.18 R$5.97
79.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$68.9K ISK 8.4M
$24.4K R$123.5K
182.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$55.8K ISK 6.8M
$34.7K R$175.9K
60.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$95.8 ISK 11.6K
$43.05 R$218
122.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.11 ISK 4,016
$14.29 R$72.4
131.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$87.2 ISK 10.6K
$15.76 R$79.9
452.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$101 ISK 12.3K
$26.01 R$132
288.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$50.7 ISK 6,155
$28.01 R$142
81.15%
Cinema Ticket
$19.85 ISK 2,407
$7.79 R$39.49
154.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,195 ISK 144.9K
$434 R$2,200
175.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$26.2K ISK 3.2M
$7,823 R$39.7K
235.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$148 ISK 18.0K
$34.52 R$175
329.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.8 ISK 8,096
$19.94 R$101
234.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$187 ISK 22.6K
$60.2 R$305
209.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$253 ISK 30.6K
$84.6 R$429
198.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,579 ISK 312.8K
$354 R$1,794
628.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,080 ISK 252.3K
$240 R$1,218
765.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,455 ISK 419.0K
$679 R$3,443
408.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,752 ISK 333.8K
$471 R$2,388
484.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,933 ISK 962.2K
$1,715 R$8,696
362.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,377 ISK 773.5K
$1,225 R$6,209
420.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Reykjavik
Cerquilho
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,695 ISK 569.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.81
11.12
-20.77%

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

Last update for Reykjavik: October 20, 2026

Last update for Cerquilho: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
$2.1K
Cerquilho
$240 88.5% $1.8K
Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
$619
Cerquilho
$178 71.2% $441
Eating Out
Reykjavik
$532
Cerquilho
$126 76.3% $406
Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
$294
Cerquilho
$90 69.5% $205
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
$216
Cerquilho
$73 66.2% $143
Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
$141
Cerquilho
$42 70.5% $99
Getting Around
Reykjavik
$139
Cerquilho
$56 59.7% $83

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,579 in Reykjavik versus $354 in Cerquilho. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $123 in Reykjavik versus $31.00 in Cerquilho. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $619 vs $178 – making Cerquilho the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇸 Reykjavik
🇧🇷 Cerquilho
🕒 Local time
04:33 4:33 AM
01:33 1:33 AM
3 h behind Reykjavik
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
136,894 Capital
44,695
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, USD, EUR to ISK – Icelandic Króna Converter

Icelandic Króna exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 121 ISK (1,000 ISK = 8.24 USD). 1 EUR = 136 ISK (1,000 ISK = 7.33 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Reykjavik Cerquilho 9,960 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Reykjavik
  • Cerquilho

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
Reykjavik vs Cerquilho: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Reykjavik or Cerquilho?
Reykjavik costs about 400% more than Cerquilho, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Reykjavik and in Cerquilho?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,034 per month in Reykjavik and $1,208 in Cerquilho. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Reykjavik or Cerquilho?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cerquilho, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Reykjavik and in Cerquilho?
Kindergarten costs $1,195 per month in Reykjavik and $434 in Cerquilho. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Reykjavik or in Cerquilho?
Groceries cost about 248% more in Reykjavik, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Reykjavik or in Cerquilho?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Cerquilho, where all-in costs run around $805, than in Reykjavik at $4,023. In Cerquilho it covers expenses comfortably, while in Reykjavik it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Reykjavik or Cerquilho?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cerquilho costs $805 versus $4,023 in Reykjavik. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Reykjavik compared to Cerquilho?
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 Reykjavik or to Cerquilho?
If budget matters most, go with Cerquilho. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Reykjavik makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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