Living in Reykjavik
Iceland · cold
Reykjavik is a compact city of roughly 135,000 people with both the sea and mountains close by in Iceland. The climate is cold. It has a lively, popular feel and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $3,100. Healthcare is strong, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for hiking, swimming, art and culture.
It is an island connected all year, often several times a day, and that changes a great deal for anyone living here all year. Rents have risen about 64% in five years: anyone arriving today will not find the prices they read about.
Reykjavik at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Reykjavik
- People who want comfort and do not mind paying for it
- Feeling safe day to day
- Working remotely with reliable internet
- Getting around on foot
- A genuinely good food scene
- Island living
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Recommended, never required
Voluntary and free, with the health centre calling parents rather than waiting for them.
If you skip them: Nothing.
Exemptions: Not needed.
Source: Vaccines 2024;12:1296, European survey
🚀 Popularity & prices: Growing fast
Accommodation prices have moved about +64% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
⛴️ Getting there: All year, often
Estimated from island size, airport and tourism. We have not checked a timetable for this one, treat it as a guide.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Reykjavik
- • Can get busy with visitors in peak season.
- • Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes, volcanic activity.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Reykjavik
- •Natural hazards to check locally: earthquakes, volcanic activity.
- •Long, hard winters, factor heating costs and short daylight.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Reykjavik?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Reykjavik
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Reykjavik, Iceland?
A typical month in Reykjavik costs around $3,100, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Reykjavik, Iceland safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Reykjavik at 5 out of 5, which is excellent. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes, volcanic activity.
What is the internet like in Reykjavik?
Internet in Reykjavik is rated 5 out of 5 for remote work, which is excellent. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has a cold climate. It is on the coast. Mountains are close by. It is on an island.
Is healthcare good in Reykjavik?
Healthcare in Reykjavik is rated 5 out of 5 overall, which is excellent. Public healthcare is 5/5 and private healthcare 4/5.
How easy is it to move to Iceland?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Iceland at 2 out of 5, which is limited. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Reykjavik actually right for you?
Reykjavik is one of 3,500+ places we compare. Answer a few honest questions and we will tell you the handful that truly fit your life, ranked and explained.
Find my place →⏱️ ~5 min · one payment · no newsletter