Skyline of Keflavik
Cost of Living: 85 16,000

Keflavik, Iceland

Iceland's international gateway city, home to Keflavik Airport and a growing community of remote workers.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs Iceland Avg (100)

Housing Index 90

Affordable

Median Income ISK 5,400,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Keflavik vs Iceland Average

Cost of Living
Keflavik: 85
Iceland Avg: 100
Housing Index
Keflavik: 90
Iceland Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Keflavik: 31.5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 31.5%
  • Sales Tax: 24.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ISK 5,400,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 16,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 125/year
  • Summer High: 56°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: kr35,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: kr170000/mo

Cost of Living

Keflavik's cost of living index is 85 (Iceland average = 100).

CategoryKeflavikNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing90100-10.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Pricekr35,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)kr170000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)kr212,500/mo
Price per Sq Ftkr23,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

kr
%
$90,000 down
%
%
kr

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Keflavik:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricitykr10000
Heating & Coolingkr139Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterkr3000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)kr7000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitieskr20139Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Keflavik scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
kr170000
Sunny Days
125
Tax
31.5%
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
56°F / 30°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
16,000
Internet Speed
220 Mbps

Climate

Keflavik has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April41°F45°F2.8"
July56°F31°F1.5"
October36°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Keflavik faces the following natural hazards:

Volcano Extreme Risk

Highly active volcanic region with frequent eruptions.

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Blizzard High Risk

Iceland experiences severe winter storms.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Volcanic terrain with landslides.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Volcanic terrain with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 31.5%
  • Sales Tax: 24%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic calendar.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Keflavik, Iceland?

The cost of living index in Keflavik is 85, which is Lower the Iceland national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Keflavik?

The median home price in Keflavik is kr35,000,000. The housing index is 90.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Keflavik is approximately kr170000/mo.

Does Keflavik, RE have income tax?

Keflavik is in RE, which has an income tax rate of 31.5%.

What is the climate like in Keflavik?

Keflavik enjoys approximately 125 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 56°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.