🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,470 in Swindon versus $3,766 in Akranes.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,476 in Swindon versus $5,946 in Akranes.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,482 in Swindon versus $8,125 in Akranes.
🌍Living in Swindon costs roughly 34% less than in Akranes, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Swindon79% above, Akranes173% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.35£15.78
$30.03ISK 3,617
-28.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.5£48.38
$134ISK 16.2K
-51.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.65£7.87
$26.46ISK 3,187
-59.75%
Cappuccino
$4.94£3.65
$6.10ISK 735
-19.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81£2.07
$3.33ISK 401
-15.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64£1.21
$2.50ISK 301
-34.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.72£4.23
$10.65ISK 1,283
-46.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.78£3.53
$8.11ISK 977
-41.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55£1.15
$2.03ISK 245
-23.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.73£1.28
$2.05ISK 246
-15.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84£1.36
$3.52ISK 424
-47.73%
Eggs
$4.43£3.28
$6.29ISK 757
-29.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.41£6.22
$20.48ISK 2,467
-58.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.49£7.02
$24.90ISK 2,999
-61.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.48£10.71
$41.58ISK 5,009
-65.18%
Apples(1kg)
$3.04£2.25
$3.42ISK 412
-11.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79£1.32
$2.91ISK 350
-38.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.73£2.02
$3.18ISK 383
-14.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.05£2.99
$5.03ISK 606
-19.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.13£1.57
$3.99ISK 480
-46.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.53£1.13
$1.72ISK 207
-11.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.24£0.91
$3.69ISK 445
-66.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.73£1.28
$1.78ISK 215
-2.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$23.56£17.41
$13.94ISK 1,680
69.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.71£7.91
$23.89ISK 2,878
-55.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94£2.17
$2.89ISK 348
1.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56£2.63
$2.01ISK 242
77.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.17£2.35
$3.62ISK 436
-12.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$92.4£68.3
$74.9ISK 9,027
23.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.53£2.61
$6.96ISK 838
-49.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.71£1.26
$1.26ISK 152
35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.27£16.46
$75.0ISK 9,037
-70.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98£1.46
$1.97ISK 237
0.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4K£28.3K
$52.1KISK 6.3M
-26.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.7K£30.1K
$55.2KISK 6.6M
-26.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$322£238
$87.8ISK 10.6K
267.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.15£11.94
$33.25ISK 4,005
-51.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.93£28.78
$83.5ISK 10.1K
-53.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.69£27.86
$102ISK 12.2K
-62.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.04£17.77
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.13£10.44
$19.75ISK 2,379
-28.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,229£908
$1,214ISK 146.2K
1.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,393£3,986
$30.6KISK 3.7M
-82.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$90.8£67.1
$160ISK 19.3K
-43.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.48£33.61
$65.9ISK 7,933
-30.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.1£62.9
$180ISK 21.7K
-52.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.6£65.5
$249ISK 29.9K
-64.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,266£936
$3,035ISK 365.5K
-58.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,115£824
$1,907ISK 229.7K
-41.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,939£1,433
$4,989ISK 600.9K
-61.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,811£1,339
$3,683ISK 443.6K
-50.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,751£2,034
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,196£2,362
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Swindon
Akranes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,032£2,241
$5,858ISK 705.6K
-48.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.87
8.88
-45.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Swindon: September 7, 2026
Last update for Akranes: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,266 in Swindon and $3,035 in Akranes. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Akranes pays 93% 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: $65.0 in Swindon vs $134 in Akranes for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $310 vs $581 per month, with Swindon cheaper across the board.
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
Swindon vs Akranes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Swindon or Akranes?
Swindon wins on cost – living expenses run 52% lower than in Akranes. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Swindon the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Swindon or in Akranes?
On paper, salaries run 93% lower in Akranes. 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 Swindon compared to Akranes?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,266 in Swindon versus $3,035 in Akranes. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Swindon compared to Akranes?
All in, you'll spend $2,470 per month in Swindon versus $3,766 in Akranes – a 52% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Swindon compared to Akranes?
A monthly transit pass in Swindon runs roughly 23% less than in Akranes. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Swindon or in Akranes?
At $2,470 in Swindon versus $3,766 in Akranes, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Swindon but tight or insufficient in Akranes. The gap between the two cities makes Swindon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Swindon or Akranes?
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.
How safe is Swindon compared to Akranes?
Safety-wise, Swindon and Akranes 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 Swindon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Akranes. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.