Cost of Living in Al-'amarah - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $684 per month with rent, or $518 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $1,091 per month with rent, or $841 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,498 per month with rent, or $1,164 without housing.

Overall, Al-'amarah is about 49% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (35% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.98 IQD 5,217
$2.26 IQD 2,963
$11.29 IQD 14.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.81 IQD 32.5K
$15.28 IQD 20.0K
$53.5 IQD 70.0K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.00 IQD 9,165
$6.09 IQD 7,981
$9.32 IQD 12.2K
Cappuccino
$2.56 IQD 3,348
$0.75 IQD 984
$4.50 IQD 5,891
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 IQD 515
$0.39 IQD 515
$0.80 IQD 1,044
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18 IQD 239
$0.18 IQD 239
$0.74 IQD 967
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 IQD 3,863
$1.55 IQD 2,031
$5.04 IQD 6,598
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 IQD 3,723
$1.89 IQD 2,478
$3.79 IQD 4,969
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 IQD 2,342
$0.97 IQD 1,273
$2.60 IQD 3,411
White Bread (500g)
$0.75 IQD 977
$0.71 IQD 925
$0.79 IQD 1,028
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.08 IQD 1,416
$0.94 IQD 1,236
$1.23 IQD 1,609
Eggs
$1.53 IQD 2,005
$1.51 IQD 1,979
$1.54 IQD 2,018
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.58 IQD 5,996
$3.11 IQD 4,077
$10.90 IQD 14.3K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.80 IQD 6,285
$2.34 IQD 3,069
$7.80 IQD 10.2K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.12 IQD 17.2K
$9.97 IQD 13.1K
$16.79 IQD 22.0K
Apples (1kg)
$0.85 IQD 1,118
$0.75 IQD 978
$0.97 IQD 1,270
Banana (1kg)
$1.05 IQD 1,375
$0.98 IQD 1,285
$1.13 IQD 1,478
Oranges (1kg)
$0.86 IQD 1,125
$0.75 IQD 985
$0.98 IQD 1,279
Tomato (1kg)
$0.37 IQD 483
$0.26 IQD 343
$0.48 IQD 635
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 IQD 922
$0.67 IQD 884
$0.74 IQD 972
Onion (1kg)
$0.34 IQD 450
$0.32 IQD 413
$0.36 IQD 475
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 IQD 882
$0.39 IQD 515
$1.19 IQD 1,560
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 IQD 612
$0.34 IQD 449
$0.59 IQD 775
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94 IQD 2,534
$1.55 IQD 2,030
$3.10 IQD 4,060
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85 IQD 2,417
$1.17 IQD 1,536
$2.35 IQD 3,072
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 IQD 2,854
$1.37 IQD 1,796
$2.74 IQD 3,591
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 IQD 512
$0.39 IQD 512
$0.72 IQD 943
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.94 IQD 40.5K
$21.35 IQD 28.0K
$38.04 IQD 49.8K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.68 IQD 2,206
$1.02 IQD 1,337
$2.35 IQD 3,075
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 IQD 1,994
$1.15 IQD 1,505
$2.37 IQD 3,103
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.04 IQD 7,907
$3.85 IQD 5,047
$10.06 IQD 13.2K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.31 IQD 402
$0.29 IQD 377
$0.33 IQD 427
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9K IQD 24.8M
$14.8K IQD 19.3M
$22.7K IQD 29.7M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0K IQD 26.1M
$18.0K IQD 23.6M
$25.5K IQD 33.4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.0 IQD 100.9K
$61.0 IQD 79.9K
$229 IQD 299.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.77 IQD 23.3K
$11.56 IQD 15.1K
$30.83 IQD 40.4K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.12 IQD 44.7K
$24.77 IQD 32.4K
$49.54 IQD 64.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.53 IQD 29.5K
$14.82 IQD 19.4K
$30.23 IQD 39.6K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.00 IQD 22.3K
$6.07 IQD 7,945
$19.35 IQD 25.3K
Cinema Ticket
$7.69 IQD 10.1K
$7.69 IQD 10.1K
$11.55 IQD 15.1K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$149 IQD 195.4K
$75.2 IQD 98.5K
$376 IQD 492.5K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,247 IQD 4.3M
$992 IQD 1.3M
$5,692 IQD 7.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.00 IQD 35.4K
$11.44 IQD 15.0K
$53.4 IQD 69.9K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.83 IQD 32.5K
$15.05 IQD 19.7K
$67.7 IQD 88.6K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.4 IQD 79.1K
$41.46 IQD 54.3K
$136 IQD 177.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.70 IQD 53.3K
$15.15 IQD 19.8K
$114 IQD 148.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$333 IQD 435.4K
$156 IQD 204.1K
$509 IQD 666.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$133 IQD 173.6K
$115 IQD 150.5K
$150 IQD 196.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$448 IQD 586.7K
$192 IQD 251.9K
$704 IQD 921.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$347 IQD 453.8K
$270 IQD 353.0K
$503 IQD 658.8K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$583 IQD 763.6K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$494 IQD 647.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.67
5
7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $333, dropping to $133 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 67% of the average salary ($494) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $494 – below monthly costs of $684. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $153 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $25.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $30.94 – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Al-'amarah has the 3rd cheapest gasoline in Asia

Al-'amarah is cheaper than 83% of cities worldwide and 55% within Asia.

Al-'amarah Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Al-'amarah - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Al-'amarah for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with larger regional hubs?
Cost of Living in Al-'amarah, Iraq feels approachable for travelers and longer stays when you compare it with larger regional hubs. Local markets provide fresh produce and staple goods at family-friendly prices, and housing options run from compact apartments in older sections to quieter homes on the outskirts. Dining out can be economical at casual eateries, while fancier dining or imported goods push costs up. Public services exist with varying reliability, so budgeting flexibility helps you adapt. Seasonal heat increases energy use, but costs scale with your habits. Tip: map a simple monthly plan that accounts for rent, groceries, and transport.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and errands in Al-'amarah for a visitor or expat?
Daily life in Al-'amarah blends local markets, casual eateries, and essential services with workable transport options. Housing searches usually focus on compact apartments in the old city or quieter streets within a short ride of the center. For getting around, you’ll rely on car travel, taxis, or shared vans, with walking handy for nearby errands. Food options range from street food stalls to family-run groceries and modest cafes. Al-'amarah, Iraq living cost can shift with neighborhood choice, so map a few routes that suit your pace and commute. Tip: start with one or two neighborhoods, then compare rent, access, and safety in daylight.
What should you consider for quality of life and budgeting to find the right neighborhood and pace?
Quality of life in Al-'amarah hinges on balancing housing, groceries, and transport with your work or travel pace. A practical budgeting framework is to separate essentials (rent, utilities, food) from discretionary spending and build a small buffer for seasonal spikes in energy use. Neighborhood fit often means choosing a walkable center for access to markets and cafes, or a quieter residential area if you value rest. Internet access and power reliability can vary, so identify a reliable coworking space or a cafe with dependable wifi. Tip: tailor your plan to the season and test a neighborhood at different times of day.
How affordable is daily life in Al-'amarah?
By most standards, Al-'amarah is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $684, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
How much of a salary does housing take in Al-'amarah?
Housing in Al-'amarah takes a heavy bite – about 67% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
How much should you earn to live well in Al-'amarah?
In Al-'amarah, $1,026 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
How affordable is housing in Al-'amarah?
Rent is one of Al-'amarah's biggest advantages – 1-bedroom apartments range from $133 to $333 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Al-'amarah?
Groceries in Al-'amarah are cheap – a single person spends about $153 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a monthly transit pass in Al-'amarah?
Public transport in Al-'amarah costs about $30.94 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Al-'amarah?
$1,000 a month in Al-'amarah? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $684, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What is quality of life like in Al-'amarah?
Quality of life in Al-'amarah is genuinely good – highlights include low crime rates, great local cuisine, and monthly costs hover around $684. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
Is Al-'amarah a cheap city to live in?
Al-'amarah is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $684 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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