Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Reykjavik and New Glasgow Nova Scotia

For one person, living is cheaper in New Glasgow Nova Scotia: $2,025 a month against $4,037 in Reykjavik, rent and utilities included – about $24,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Reykjavik
🇮🇸 Iceland
$4,037
/mo nomad
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,025
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Reykjavik and in New Glasgow Nova Scotia

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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,037 per month in Reykjavik vs $2,025 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $4,037
  • New Glasgow Nova Scotia $2,025

A couple spends around $5,666 per month in Reykjavik vs $3,019 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $5,666
  • New Glasgow Nova Scotia $3,019

A family of three spends $7,295 per month in Reykjavik vs $4,012 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, rent included.

  • Reykjavik $7,295
  • New Glasgow Nova Scotia $4,012

Reykjavik costs about 99% more than New Glasgow Nova Scotia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Reykjavik and New Glasgow Nova Scotia sit above the global median – Reykjavik by 201%, New Glasgow Nova Scotia by 51%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.59 ISK 3,730
$18.54 CA$26.42
64.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$136 ISK 16.5K
$56.2 CA$80.1
141.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$27.08 ISK 3,302
$10.61 CA$15.13
155.23%
Cappuccino
$6.72 ISK 819
$3.46 CA$4.94
94.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 ISK 399
$2.03 CA$2.89
61.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 ISK 386
$1.82 CA$2.59
73.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.91 ISK 1,696
$3.65 CA$5.20
281.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.06 ISK 1,470
$4.66 CA$6.65
158.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.04 ISK 248
$1.89 CA$2.69
7.94%
White Bread (500g)
$4.32 ISK 527
$2.73 CA$3.90
58.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.67 ISK 447
$3.43 CA$4.89
7.00%
Eggs
$7.02 ISK 856
$3.54 CA$5.05
98.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.01 ISK 2,684
$13.39 CA$19.08
64.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.70 ISK 3,012
$9.58 CA$13.66
157.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$42.66 ISK 5,202
$13.00 CA$18.53
228.15%
Apples (1kg)
$3.37 ISK 412
$5.42 CA$7.73
-37.82%
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 ISK 347
$1.38 CA$1.96
106.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.17 ISK 387
$4.59 CA$6.55
-30.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.39 ISK 779
$4.30 CA$6.13
48.60%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 ISK 489
$2.00 CA$2.85
100.50%
Onion (1kg)
$1.64 ISK 200
$2.08 CA$2.96
-21.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.80 ISK 463
$2.16 CA$3.08
75.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74 ISK 212
$2.13 CA$3.04
-18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.80 ISK 1,682
$14.28 CA$20.36
-3.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.38 ISK 2,851
$13.81 CA$19.68
69.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.53 ISK 430
$3.26 CA$4.65
8.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ISK 420
$4.03 CA$5.75
-14.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.77 ISK 704
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$95.1 ISK 11.6K
$56.3 CA$80.3
68.96%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.63 ISK 808
$2.81 CA$4.01
135.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.79 ISK 341
$1.31 CA$1.87
112.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$81.4 ISK 9,923
$20.70 CA$29.50
293.09%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.11 ISK 257
$1.09 CA$1.55
93.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.8K ISK 6.2M
$27.7K CA$39.4K
83.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$52.7K ISK 6.4M
$19.3K CA$27.5K
173.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.7 ISK 10.8K
$123 CA$176
-28.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.53 ISK 3,845
$40.94 CA$58.4
-22.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.6 ISK 10.3K
$56.8 CA$81.0
48.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$100 ISK 12.2K
$46.22 CA$65.9
117.18%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$48.20 ISK 5,877
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.87 ISK 2,424
$12.73 CA$18.14
56.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,277 ISK 155.8K
$377 CA$537
238.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.0K ISK 3.8M
$13.1K CA$18.7K
136.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$161 ISK 19.6K
$59.6 CA$85.0
169.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.9 ISK 7,914
$34.96 CA$49.83
85.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$183 ISK 22.3K
$103 CA$146
78.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$254 ISK 31.0K
$116 CA$165
118.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,499 ISK 304.8K
$1,066 CA$1,519
134.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,000 ISK 243.9K
$872 CA$1,243
129.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,452 ISK 421.0K
$1,539 CA$2,194
124.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,742 ISK 334.4K
$1,517 CA$2,162
80.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,001 ISK 975.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,249 ISK 762.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Reykjavik
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,691 ISK 572.0K
$2,473 CA$3,525
89.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.81
4.6
91.52%

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

Last update for Reykjavik: October 4, 2026

Last update for New Glasgow Nova Scotia: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
$2K
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$872 56.4% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
$625
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$373 40.4% $252
Eating Out
Reykjavik
$526
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$265 49.7% $261
Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
$298
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$141 52.7% $157
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
$205
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$221 8% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
$140
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$72 48.8% $68
Getting Around
Reykjavik
$139
New Glasgow Nova Scotia
$66 * 52.7% $73

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,499 in Reykjavik versus $1,066 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 90% higher in Reykjavik, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $136 in Reykjavik versus $56.0 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $625 vs $373 – making New Glasgow Nova Scotia the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇸 Reykjavik
🇨🇦 New Glasgow Nova Scotia
🕒 Local time
11:56 11:56 AM
08:56 8:56 AM
3 h behind Reykjavik
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
136,894 Capital
18,665
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, USD, EUR to ISK – Icelandic Króna Converter

Icelandic Króna exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 USD = 122 ISK (1,000 ISK = 8.2 USD). 1 EUR = 137 ISK (1,000 ISK = 7.32 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 11, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 CAD (1 CAD = 0.702 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.626 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Reykjavik New Glasgow Nova Scotia 3,230 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Reykjavik
  • New Glasgow Nova Scotia

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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Reykjavik or New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
Reykjavik costs about 99% more than New Glasgow Nova Scotia, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,055 per month in Reykjavik and $3,038 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Reykjavik or New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Reykjavik or in New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
Groceries cost about 68% more in Reykjavik, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Reykjavik and in New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $136 in Reykjavik and $56.0 in New Glasgow Nova Scotia. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Reykjavik or in New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, where all-in costs run around $2,025, than in Reykjavik at $4,037. In New Glasgow Nova Scotia 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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. New Glasgow Nova Scotia costs $2,025 versus $4,037 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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
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 New Glasgow Nova Scotia?
If budget matters most, go with New Glasgow Nova Scotia. 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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