Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Reykjavik and Concepcion

For one person, living is cheaper in Concepcion: $1,060 a month against $4,037 in Reykjavik, rent and utilities included – about $35,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Reykjavik
🇮🇸 Iceland
$4,037
/mo nomad
Concepcion
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,060
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Reykjavik and in Concepcion

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 Concepcion actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $4,037 in Reykjavik versus $1,060 in Concepcion.

  • Reykjavik $4,037
  • Concepcion $1,060

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,666 in Reykjavik versus $1,654 in Concepcion.

  • Reykjavik $5,666
  • Concepcion $1,654

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,295 in Reykjavik versus $2,247 in Concepcion.

  • Reykjavik $7,295
  • Concepcion $2,247

Living in Reykjavik is roughly 281% more expensive than in Concepcion, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Reykjavik is 201% above, Concepcion is 21% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.59 ISK 3,730
$7.02 CLP 6,844
335.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$136 ISK 16.5K
$45.59 CLP 44.5K
197.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$27.08 ISK 3,302
$7.64 CLP 7,454
254.45%
Cappuccino
$6.72 ISK 819
$2.83 CLP 2,760
137.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 ISK 399
$1.43 CLP 1,391
128.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 ISK 386
$1.05 CLP 1,022
200.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.91 ISK 1,696
$3.89 CLP 3,797
257.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.06 ISK 1,470
$3.74 CLP 3,650
222.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.04 ISK 248
$1.26 CLP 1,227
61.90%
White Bread (500g)
$4.32 ISK 527
$1.51 CLP 1,469
186.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.67 ISK 447
$1.53 CLP 1,488
139.87%
Eggs
$7.02 ISK 856
$3.63 CLP 3,538
93.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.01 ISK 2,684
$10.94 CLP 10.7K
101.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.70 ISK 3,012
$6.65 CLP 6,484
271.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$42.66 ISK 5,202
$11.78 CLP 11.5K
262.14%
Apples (1kg)
$3.37 ISK 412
$1.45 CLP 1,413
132.41%
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 ISK 347
$1.35 CLP 1,315
111.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.17 ISK 387
$1.49 CLP 1,453
112.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.39 ISK 779
$1.41 CLP 1,370
353.19%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 ISK 489
$1.04 CLP 1,013
285.58%
Onion (1kg)
$1.64 ISK 200
$1.31 CLP 1,277
25.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.80 ISK 463
$1.12 CLP 1,089
239.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74 ISK 212
$1.18 CLP 1,152
47.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.80 ISK 1,682
$5.09 CLP 4,959
171.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.38 ISK 2,851
$5.01 CLP 4,881
366.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.53 ISK 430
$0.96 CLP 940
267.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ISK 420
$1.69 CLP 1,645
104.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.77 ISK 704
$0.55 CLP 539
949.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$95.1 ISK 11.6K
$31.51 CLP 30.7K
201.94%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.63 ISK 808
$1.20 CLP 1,169
452.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.79 ISK 341
$2.25 CLP 2,198
24.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$81.4 ISK 9,923
$12.28 CLP 12.0K
562.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.11 ISK 257
$1.37 CLP 1,336
54.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.8K ISK 6.2M
$19.9K CLP 19.4M
154.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$52.7K ISK 6.4M
$24.7K CLP 24.1M
113.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.7 ISK 10.8K
$108 CLP 105.2K
-17.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.53 ISK 3,845
$13.06 CLP 12.7K
141.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.6 ISK 10.3K
$27.55 CLP 26.9K
207.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$100 ISK 12.2K
$29.45 CLP 28.7K
240.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$48.20 ISK 5,877
$10.48 CLP 10.2K
359.92%
Cinema Ticket
$19.87 ISK 2,424
$5.74 CLP 5,596
246.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,277 ISK 155.8K
$318 CLP 309.6K
302.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.0K ISK 3.8M
$4,329 CLP 4.2M
615.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$161 ISK 19.6K
$45.10 CLP 44.0K
256.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.9 ISK 7,914
$22.28 CLP 21.7K
191.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$183 ISK 22.3K
$63.8 CLP 62.2K
186.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$254 ISK 31.0K
$64.7 CLP 63.0K
292.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,499 ISK 304.8K
$474 CLP 461.9K
427.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,000 ISK 243.9K
$346 CLP 337.0K
478.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,452 ISK 421.0K
$955 CLP 931.2K
261.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,742 ISK 334.4K
$643 CLP 627.1K
326.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,001 ISK 975.7K
$2,137 CLP 2.1M
274.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,249 ISK 762.1K
$1,810 CLP 1.8M
245.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Reykjavik
Concepcion
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,691 ISK 572.0K
$542 CLP 528.2K
765.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.81
5.3
66.23%

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

Last update for Reykjavik: October 4, 2026

Last update for Concepcion: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
$2K
Concepcion
$346 82.7% $1.7K
Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
$625
Concepcion
$221 64.7% $404
Eating Out
Reykjavik
$526
Concepcion
$150 71.5% $376
Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
$298
Concepcion
$88 70.4% $210
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
$205
Concepcion
$149 27.5% $56
Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
$140
Concepcion
$41 70.8% $99
Getting Around
Reykjavik
$139
Concepcion
$46 66.7% $93

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,499 in Reykjavik and $474 in Concepcion. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Reykjavik pays 766% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $136 in Reykjavik vs $46.00 in Concepcion for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $625 vs $221 per month, with Concepcion cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇸 Reykjavik
🇨🇱 Concepcion
🕒 Local time
10:11 10:11 AM
07:11 7:11 AM
3 h behind Reykjavik
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
136,894 Capital
217,537
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CLP, USD, EUR to ISK – Icelandic Króna Converter

Icelandic Króna exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 122 ISK (1,000 ISK = 8.2 USD). 1 EUR = 137 ISK (1,000 ISK = 7.32 EUR).

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 975 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.03 USD). 1 EUR = 1,093 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.15 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Reykjavik Concepcion 12,080 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Reykjavik
  • Concepcion

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 Concepcion: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Reykjavik and in Concepcion?
Reykjavik and Concepcion differ by about 281% in total monthly costs ($4,037 vs $1,060 including rent). Concepcion is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Reykjavik or Concepcion?
Average pay runs 766% higher in Reykjavik, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Reykjavik and in Concepcion?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,499 in Reykjavik versus $474 in Concepcion. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 183% higher in Reykjavik. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Concepcion – a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $136 in Reykjavik. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,060 in Concepcion versus $4,037 in Reykjavik, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Concepcion but tight or insufficient in Reykjavik. The gap between the two cities makes Concepcion the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Reykjavik and Concepcion?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Reykjavik or Concepcion safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Reykjavik and Concepcion are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Reykjavik or Concepcion?
Expats usually find Concepcion gentler on the wallet – expenses run 281% less than in Reykjavik. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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