Cost of living comparison
Des Moines is 18.8% more expensive than Reykjavik.
- Restaurants
-
pay 23.8% less in Des Moines
- Groceries
-
pay 14.0% less in Des Moines
- Transportation
-
pay 43.9% less in Des Moines
- Housing
-
pay 0.6% more in Des Moines
- Childcare
-
pay 3.7 times more in Des Moines
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 22.7% less in Des Moines
- Clothing
-
pay 32.4% less in Des Moines
The cost of childcare and housing in Des Moines are more expensive than in Reykjavik. Expenses including transportation, clothing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, and groceries are lower in Des Moines. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Des Moines.
If you lived in Des Moines instead of Reykjavik, you would:
pay 23.8% less for restaurants
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$20.00
ISK2,482
|
$16.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$18.02
ISK2,236
|
$10.00
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$3.15
ISK391
|
$2.36
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.19
ISK271
|
$2.06
|
|
pay 14.0% less for groceries
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.61
ISK448
|
$2.86
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.76
ISK963
|
$5.99
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.40
ISK795
|
$3.92
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$5.76
ISK714
|
$3.09
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$9.45
ISK1,172
|
$4.38
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.40
ISK174
|
$2.10
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.01
ISK125
|
$0.73
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.22
ISK151
|
$1.59
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.22
ISK276
|
$1.74
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.43
ISK178
|
$0.75
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.93
ISK116
|
$1.36
|
|
pay 43.9% less for transportation
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$8.50
ISK1,055
|
$3.07
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$74.95
ISK9,302
|
$58.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$42,450.45
ISK5,268,101
|
$26,000.00
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$24.05
ISK2,985
|
$11.94
|
|
pay 0.6% more for housing
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$69.87
ISK8,670
|
$53.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,971.17
ISK244,622
|
$1,215.00
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,803.44
ISK223,807
|
$912.50
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$53.95
ISK6,696
|
$115.16
|
|
pay 3.7 times more for childcare
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$252.14
ISK31,291
|
$1,357.76
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$5,993.99
ISK743,855
|
$11,812.00
|
|
pay 22.7% less for entertainment and sports
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$10.81
ISK1,342
|
$5.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.31
ISK658
|
$4.51
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$12.25
ISK1,520
|
$7.14
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$69.95
ISK8,680
|
$66.67
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.77
ISK1,834
|
$15.00
|
|
pay 32.4% less for clothing
|
Reykjavik
|
Des Moines
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$108.97
ISK13,523
|
$56.43
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$49.72
ISK6,170
|
$42.50
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$151.85
ISK18,845
|
$90.50
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$194.16
ISK24,095
|
$143.00
|
|
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