I compared grocery prices of 7 items in America and Iceland, and I was shocked by the high cost of US staples abroad

Talia LakritzJan 13, 2024, 19:57 IST

I compared the prices of grocery items in Iceland and the US.Talia Lakritz/Insider ; Talia Lakritz/Insider

On a recent trip to Iceland, I visited three grocery stores to compare prices with items in the US.
While produce in Iceland was cheaper, most basics like eggs and milk were more expensive.

On a trip to Iceland in June, I visited three supermarkets to see how prices compare to American grocery stores.

I shopped at two Icelandic chains, Hagkaup and Krónan, as well as Iceland's one and only Costco location, and recorded the costs of seven US grocery staples like eggs, milk, and pasta. Then, I compared the prices to those listed at my local Target and Costco stores in New York City.

Overall, I found that prices in Iceland were much higher than the US — for some US favorites like Costco rotisserie chickens, as much as double.

Take a look at how some grocery prices in Iceland compare to the US.

On my trip to Iceland, I went grocery shopping at Hagkaup, a one-stop shop known as the "Walmart of Iceland."

Hagkaup in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At Hagkaup, a family-size box of Cheerios cost 999 ISK, or about $7.20.

Cereal at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At my local Target in New York City, a family-size box of Cheerios costs $5.89.

Cheerios for sale at Target in the US.Talia Lakritz/Insider

One liter, or about a quart, of semi-skimmed milk in Iceland cost 219 ISK, or about $1.58.

Milk at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At Target, a half gallon of skim milk costs $2.89 — a better price for twice the amount.

Milk for sale at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At Hagkaup, 500 grams, or a little over one pound, of spaghetti was priced at 559 ISK, or about $4.09.

Spaghetti at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

One pound of spaghetti is only $1.99 at Target.

Spaghetti at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I also visited Iceland's only Costco location to compare prices with US stores.

Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At the Icelandic Costco, a rotisserie chicken was priced at 1,499 ISK, or about $10.86.

Rotisserie chicken at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Costco rotisserie chickens are much cheaper in the US at $4.99.

Rotisserie chickens at Costco.Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In Iceland, a 24-pack of large white eggs sold for 1,399 ISK, or about $10.13.

Eggs at Costco in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At American Costco stores, the same amount of eggs costs $5.99.

Cage-free eggs at Costco in the US.Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Finally, I went to the Icelandic grocery chain Krónan.

A Krónan store in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

At Krónan, a can of black beans costs 195 ISK, or about $1.41.

Canned food at Krónan.Talia Lakritz/Insider

In the US, Target-brand black beans are priced at 85 cents each.

Black beans at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Krónan had a promotion selling five pieces of fruit for 229 ISK, or $1.59.

Fruit for sale at Krónan in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Produce at Target was more expensive, with individual pieces of fruit ranging from 79 cents to 99 cents each.

Fruit for sale at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

While I'd heard that Iceland is an expensive place to travel, I was still surprised by how much higher the grocery prices were in the stores I visited.

A shopping basket at Hagkaup.Talia Lakritz/Insider

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