Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Reykjavik and Pembroke

For one person, living is cheaper in Pembroke: $2,355 a month against $4,037 in Reykjavik, rent and utilities included – about $20,200 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Reykjavik outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Reykjavik
🇮🇸 Iceland
$4,037
/mo nomad
Pembroke
🇧🇲 Bermuda
$2,355
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Reykjavik and in Pembroke

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $4,037 in Reykjavik versus $2,355 in Pembroke.

  • Reykjavik $4,037
  • Pembroke $2,355

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,666 in Reykjavik versus $3,881 in Pembroke.

  • Reykjavik $5,666
  • Pembroke $3,881

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,295 in Reykjavik versus $5,406 in Pembroke.

  • Reykjavik $7,295
  • Pembroke $5,406

Living in Reykjavik is roughly 71% more expensive than in Pembroke, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Reykjavik 201% above, Pembroke 76% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.59 ISK 3,730
$50.6 BMD 50.6
-39.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$136 ISK 16.5K
$151 BMD 151
-10.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$27.08 ISK 3,302
$16.82 BMD 16.82
61.00%
Cappuccino
$6.72 ISK 819
$4.45 BMD 4.45
51.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 ISK 399
$2.98 BMD 2.98
9.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 ISK 386
$3.18 BMD 3.18
-0.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$13.91 ISK 1,696
$7.66 BMD 7.66
81.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.06 ISK 1,470
$9.09 BMD 9.09
32.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.04 ISK 248
$4.82 BMD 4.82
-57.68%
White Bread (500g)
$4.32 ISK 527
$7.95 BMD 7.95
-45.66%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.67 ISK 447
$5.57 BMD 5.57
-34.11%
Eggs
$7.02 ISK 856
$7.35 BMD 7.35
-4.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$22.01 ISK 2,684
$23.15 BMD 23.15
-4.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.70 ISK 3,012
$21.62 BMD 21.62
14.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$42.66 ISK 5,202
$19.72 BMD 19.72
116.33%
Apples (1kg)
$3.37 ISK 412
$8.94 BMD 8.94
-62.30%
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 ISK 347
$6.69 BMD 6.69
-57.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.17 ISK 387
$7.01 BMD 7.01
-54.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.39 ISK 779
$8.56 BMD 8.56
-25.35%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 ISK 489
$5.81 BMD 5.81
-30.98%
Onion (1kg)
$1.64 ISK 200
$4.12 BMD 4.12
-60.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.80 ISK 463
$6.22 BMD 6.22
-38.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74 ISK 212
$3.56 BMD 3.56
-51.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.80 ISK 1,682
$17.84 BMD 17.84
-22.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.38 ISK 2,851
$24.41 BMD 24.41
-4.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.53 ISK 430
$5.32 BMD 5.32
-33.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ISK 420
$4.27 BMD 4.27
-19.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.77 ISK 704
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$95.1 ISK 11.6K
$129 BMD 129
-26.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.63 ISK 808
$6.69 BMD 6.69
-0.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.79 ISK 341
$2.43 BMD 2.43
14.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$81.4 ISK 9,923
$69.1 BMD 69.1
17.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.11 ISK 257
$2.42 BMD 2.42
-12.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.8K ISK 6.2M
$36.8K BMD 36.8K
38.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$52.7K ISK 6.4M
$43.5K BMD 43.5K
21.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.7 ISK 10.8K
$286 BMD 286
-68.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.53 ISK 3,845
$151 BMD 151
-79.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.6 ISK 10.3K
$161 BMD 161
-47.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$100 ISK 12.2K
$80.2 BMD 80.2
25.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$48.20 ISK 5,877
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.87 ISK 2,424
$13.32 BMD 13.32
49.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,277 ISK 155.8K
$1,324 BMD 1,324
-3.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.0K ISK 3.8M
$24.7K BMD 24.7K
25.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$161 ISK 19.6K
$90.5 BMD 90.5
77.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.9 ISK 7,914
$71.2 BMD 71.2
-8.80%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$183 ISK 22.3K
$141 BMD 141
29.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$254 ISK 31.0K
$128 BMD 128
98.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
Pembroke
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,499 ISK 304.8K
$3,765 BMD 3,765
-33.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,000 ISK 243.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,452 ISK 421.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,742 ISK 334.4K
-
-
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
Pembroke
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,691 ISK 572.0K
$7,935 BMD 7,935
-40.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.81
8.63
2.09%

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

Last update for Reykjavik: October 4, 2026

Last update for Pembroke: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
$2K
Pembroke
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
$625
Pembroke
$749 19.8% $124
Eating Out
Reykjavik
$526
Pembroke
$590 12.1% $64
Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
$298
Pembroke
$194 35% $104
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
$205
Pembroke
$597 191% $392
Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
$140
Pembroke
$107 23.7% $33
Getting Around
Reykjavik
$139
Pembroke
$148 * 6.3% $8.8

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

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,499 in Reykjavik and $3,765 in Pembroke. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Pembroke pays 69% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $136 in Reykjavik vs $151 in Pembroke for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $625 vs $749 per month, with Reykjavik cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇸 Reykjavik
🇧🇲 Pembroke
🕒 Local time
08:43 8:43 AM
05:43 5:43 AM
3 h behind Reykjavik
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
136,894 Capital
11,160
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BMD, 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 = 7.31 EUR).

Bermudian Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1 BMD (1 BMD = 1 USD). 1 EUR = 1.12 BMD (1 BMD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Reykjavik Pembroke 4,590 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Reykjavik
  • Pembroke

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 Pembroke: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Reykjavik or Pembroke?
Pembroke wins on cost – living expenses run 71% lower than in Reykjavik. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Pembroke the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Reykjavik or in Pembroke?
On paper, salaries run 69% lower in Pembroke. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Reykjavik compared to Pembroke?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,499 in Reykjavik versus $3,765 in Pembroke. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Reykjavik and in Pembroke?
Childcare runs $1,277 in Reykjavik versus $1,324 in Pembroke. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Reykjavik or in Pembroke?
Shoppers in Reykjavik pay roughly 20% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Reykjavik or in Pembroke?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Pembroke is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Reykjavik or Pembroke?
Both work as nomad bases, but Pembroke delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,355 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Pembroke hard to pass up.
How safe is Reykjavik compared to Pembroke?
Safety-wise, Reykjavik and Pembroke are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Pembroke gentler on the wallet – expenses run 71% less than in Reykjavik. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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