Cost of Living in An Najaf - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $673 per month with rent, or $491 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $993 per month with rent, or $802 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $1,313 per month with rent, or $1,113 without housing.

Overall, An Najaf is 50–54% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are well below average (36% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.17 IQD 5,458

$2.37 IQD 3,100

$9.45 IQD 12.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.52 IQD 29.5K

$14.71 IQD 19.3K

$98.1 IQD 128.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.87 IQD 6,383

$4.66 IQD 6,104

$9.32 IQD 12.2K

Cappuccino

$2.72 IQD 3,565

$0.71 IQD 928

$5.06 IQD 6,626

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 IQD 481

$0.74 IQD 974

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.18 IQD 232

$4.66 IQD 6,103

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.48 IQD 4,562

$1.55 IQD 2,029

$5.06 IQD 6,630

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.78 IQD 3,646

$1.85 IQD 2,426

$3.72 IQD 4,866

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 IQD 1,735

$0.76 IQD 997

$1.98 IQD 2,590

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 IQD 1,040

$0.37 IQD 488

$2.25 IQD 2,953

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 IQD 2,107

$1.14 IQD 1,495

$5.02 IQD 6,580

Eggs

$1.80 IQD 2,358

$1.41 IQD 1,849

$2.46 IQD 3,215

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.32 IQD 3,042

$1.67 IQD 2,188

$10.59 IQD 13.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.91 IQD 6,436

$2.29 IQD 2,997

$7.61 IQD 9,967

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.51 IQD 13.8K

$4.95 IQD 6,484

$16.68 IQD 21.8K

Apples (1kg)

$1.24 IQD 1,617

$0.76 IQD 996

$2.50 IQD 3,273

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 IQD 1,511

$0.75 IQD 986

$2.47 IQD 3,240

Oranges (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,386

$0.79 IQD 1,036

$2.60 IQD 3,403

Tomato (1kg)

$0.75 IQD 986

$0.40 IQD 520

$1.77 IQD 2,314

Potato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 849

$0.37 IQD 482

$1.64 IQD 2,142

Onion (1kg)

$0.68 IQD 890

$0.52 IQD 684

$1.77 IQD 2,313

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 IQD 862

$0.31 IQD 411

$1.00 IQD 1,314

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 IQD 521

$0.37 IQD 480

$1.20 IQD 1,578

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.50 IQD 1,966

$0.76 IQD 989

$3.00 IQD 3,932

Wine (Bottle)

$13.34 IQD 17.5K

$4.91 IQD 6,425

$37.45 IQD 49.0K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 IQD 2,410

$1.17 IQD 1,531

$3.05 IQD 3,995

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 IQD 2,708

$1.85 IQD 2,428

$4.85 IQD 6,357

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 IQD 478

$0.96 IQD 1,257

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.76 IQD 44.2K

$29.67 IQD 38.9K

$37.85 IQD 49.6K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.94 IQD 2,544

$1.02 IQD 1,332

$5.45 IQD 7,140

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 IQD 2,012

$0.77 IQD 1,013

$2.31 IQD 3,025

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.02 IQD 6,572

$3.84 IQD 5,034

$11.52 IQD 15.1K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.44 IQD 579

$0.29 IQD 377

$0.62 IQD 818

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$11.6K IQD 15.2M

$21.6K IQD 28.3M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.1K IQD 26.3M

$15.4K IQD 20.2M

$25.7K IQD 33.7M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$59.9 IQD 78.4K

$38.77 IQD 50.8K

$271 IQD 355.4K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$22.72 IQD 29.7K

$11.36 IQD 14.9K

$34.08 IQD 44.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.90 IQD 45.7K

$31.02 IQD 40.6K

$58.2 IQD 76.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$29.23 IQD 38.3K

$14.94 IQD 19.6K

$38.12 IQD 49.9K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 IQD 19.3K

$5.91 IQD 7,733

$18.83 IQD 24.7K

Cinema Ticket

$7.68 IQD 10.1K

$11.53 IQD 15.1K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$164 IQD 215.1K

$33.02 IQD 43.2K

$379 IQD 496.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$923 IQD 1.2M

$616 IQD 806.2K

$5,772 IQD 7.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.28 IQD 21.3K

$11.34 IQD 14.9K

$52.9 IQD 69.3K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.86 IQD 32.6K

$9.94 IQD 13.0K

$68.4 IQD 89.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.8 IQD 84.8K

$46.05 IQD 60.3K

$138 IQD 180.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.67 IQD 55.9K

$14.76 IQD 19.3K

$113 IQD 147.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$240 IQD 314.8K

$152 IQD 198.8K

$304 IQD 397.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$134 IQD 175.4K

$76.5 IQD 100.2K

$191 IQD 250.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$386 IQD 505.3K

$347 IQD 454.7K

$1,080 IQD 1.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$150 IQD 196.5K

$490 IQD 642.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,232 IQD 1.6M

$689 IQD 902.7K

$1,879 IQD 2.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$481 IQD 630.0K

$396 IQD 518.3K

$566 IQD 741.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$748 IQD 978.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.67

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $240, dropping to $134 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 32% of the average salary ($748) – close to the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $748. With monthly costs around $673, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,009.

Groceries cost around $170 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $23.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $33.76 – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 97% of cities in Asia

An Najaf is cheaper than 84% of cities worldwide and 57% within Asia.

An Najaf Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in An Najaf - Frequently Asked Questions

An Najaf offers a practical balance: essential services and amenities are accessible without the high price tag of many major cities. Cost of Living in An Najaf, Iraq tends to feel more affordable in areas with traditional markets, local eateries, and moderate housing options. You’ll find value in modest apartments, shared housing, and day-to-day groceries from nearby markets. Seasonal events may shift crowds, but costs stay relatively stable for longer stays and short visits alike. Tip: compare neighborhoods by proximity to services, and use local markets to stretch your budget without sacrificing comfort.

When searching for housing, start with neighborhoods near the old city center or university areas; options range from small studios to larger flats. For food, street stalls and fresh markets provide variety and value, while many people cook at home to manage costs. Transportation relies on shared taxis, local buses, and walking in central zones. Co-working spaces or cafes can be good bases for digital work, especially if you want reliable Wi-Fi and a social scene. An Najaf, Iraq living cost varies with your choices. Tip: test a few days of errands before committing to a lease.

Quality of life here blends pace and practicality. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate needs (housing, food, transport) from discretionary spends, and track weekly outlays in a way that reflects local routines. Choose a neighborhood that matches your routine – historic center for walkability and culture, or newer districts for amenities and quieter streets. The climate shapes energy use, so plan for hot summers with shade, water access, and comfortable evenings, plus local events that influence daily rhythms. Tip: visit at different times of day and week to sense crowds, noise, and safety before settling in.

A single person in An Najaf typically spends $673 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $491. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

For 2026, a single person in An Najaf should plan on about $673 per month with rent, or $491 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $1,009 per month after taxes to live comfortably in An Najaf. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.

In An Najaf's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $240 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $134. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.

Food in An Najaf is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $170 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.

Getting around An Najaf by public transport costs about $33.76 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.

$800 a month in An Najaf? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $673, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

An Najaf makes a good retirement base. About $1,009 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.

An Najaf is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $673 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.