Last update: Oct 2026 Iraq 1.2M

Cost of Living in An Najaf

For one person, living costs in An Najaf are estimated at $586 a month, including rent and utilities – 19% below the national average. Rent and utilities take less than a third of the total.

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An Najaf

🇮🇶 Iraq

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in An Najaf

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in An Najaf actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $586 per month with rent, or $427 for everyday expenses alone.

$586 /mo

A couple spends around $888 per month with rent, or $694 for everyday expenses alone.

$888 /mo

A family of three spends around $1,190 per month with rent, or $962 without housing.

$1,190 /mo

Overall, An Najaf is about 58% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (45% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.06 IQD 6,132

$2.03 IQD 3,066

$8.11 IQD 12.2K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.68 IQD 29.7K

$42.64 IQD 64.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.25 IQD 6,429

$3.93 IQD 5,934

$9.81 IQD 14.8K

Cappuccino

$2.29 IQD 3,455

$0.98 IQD 1,475

$4.41 IQD 6,658

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

$0.33 IQD 494

$0.32 IQD 479

$0.63 IQD 958

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.20 IQD 302

$0.15 IQD 230

$0.31 IQD 475

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.22 IQD 4,872

$1.29 IQD 1,949

$4.19 IQD 6,333

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 IQD 2,989

$4.90 IQD 7,397

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 IQD 1,363

$0.64 IQD 967

$1.28 IQD 1,934

White Bread (500g)

$0.68 IQD 1,022

$0.40 IQD 599

$1.05 IQD 1,591

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.31 IQD 1,981

$0.97 IQD 1,464

$4.27 IQD 6,447

Eggs

$1.48 IQD 2,240

$1.16 IQD 1,754

$1.93 IQD 2,918

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.41 IQD 5,154

$1.48 IQD 2,238

$6.73 IQD 10.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.07 IQD 6,157

$2.01 IQD 3,041

$5.97 IQD 9,015

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.27 IQD 14.0K

$7.79 IQD 11.8K

$15.59 IQD 23.6K

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 IQD 1,530

$0.41 IQD 618

$2.23 IQD 3,370

Banana (1kg)

$0.96 IQD 1,445

$0.67 IQD 1,015

$2.22 IQD 3,352

Oranges (1kg)

$0.88 IQD 1,333

$0.38 IQD 580

$2.09 IQD 3,159

Tomato (1kg)

$0.63 IQD 950

$0.29 IQD 432

$1.38 IQD 2,087

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 IQD 880

$0.34 IQD 510

$1.48 IQD 2,239

Onion (1kg)

$0.56 IQD 841

$0.29 IQD 435

$1.39 IQD 2,103

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 IQD 875

$0.24 IQD 359

$1.02 IQD 1,546

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.49 IQD 742

$0.34 IQD 521

$1.03 IQD 1,563

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.70 IQD 2,564

$1.36 IQD 2,051

$2.38 IQD 3,589

Wine (Bottle)

$11.66 IQD 17.6K

$5.24 IQD 7,921

$32.73 IQD 49.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 IQD 2,907

$1.31 IQD 1,978

$2.97 IQD 4,480

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.93 IQD 2,923

$1.66 IQD 2,512

$2.01 IQD 3,030

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.33 IQD 492

$0.31 IQD 476

$0.35 IQD 523

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.92 IQD 28.6K

$14.13 IQD 21.4K

$33.80 IQD 51.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.34 IQD 2,022

$0.80 IQD 1,210

$3.35 IQD 5,055

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 IQD 1,942

$1.12 IQD 1,692

$1.93 IQD 2,913

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.36 IQD 8,095

$3.28 IQD 4,956

$9.83 IQD 14.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.39 IQD 584

$0.29 IQD 438

$0.54 IQD 818

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

$12.0K IQD 18.1M

$23.1K IQD 34.9M

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

$16.7K IQD 25.3M

$12.1K IQD 18.3M

$21.3K IQD 32.3M

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

$34.90 IQD 52.7K

$32.74 IQD 49.5K

$327 IQD 494.6K

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

$14.79 IQD 22.3K

$4.97 IQD 7,507

$39.39 IQD 59.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.93 IQD 49.8K

$29.14 IQD 44.0K

$51.8 IQD 78.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.24 IQD 38.1K

$19.70 IQD 29.8K

$32.84 IQD 49.6K

Cinema Ticket

$8.38 IQD 12.7K

$6.70 IQD 10.1K

$16.76 IQD 25.3K

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

$147 IQD 222.3K

$112 IQD 168.6K

$335 IQD 505.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$799 IQD 1.2M

$533 IQD 804.7K

$5,326 IQD 8.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.90 IQD 22.5K

$9.90 IQD 15.0K

$49.51 IQD 74.8K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.76 IQD 35.9K

$15.03 IQD 22.7K

$66.2 IQD 100.0K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.5 IQD 91.5K

$40.32 IQD 60.9K

$101 IQD 152.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.72 IQD 63.0K

$19.76 IQD 29.9K

$72.5 IQD 109.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$235 IQD 354.8K

$203 IQD 306.1K

$268 IQD 404.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$124 IQD 187.9K

$64.6 IQD 97.7K

$162 IQD 244.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$319 IQD 481.5K

$303 IQD 458.4K

$334 IQD 504.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$194 IQD 292.4K

$134 IQD 202.2K

$253 IQD 382.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,118 IQD 1.7M

$702 IQD 1.1M

$1,657 IQD 2.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$455 IQD 687.3K

$406 IQD 614.1K

$503 IQD 760.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$659 IQD 996.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.12

1.3

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

An Najaf $586

Groceries & Markets

$151 25.7%

Accommodation & Living

$124 21.2%

Eating Out

$95 16.2%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$83 14.1%

Clothing & Footwear

$63 10.8%

Sport & Entertainment

$42 7.2%

Getting Around

$28 4.8%

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $235, dropping to $124 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 36% of the average salary ($659) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $659. With monthly costs around $586, saving is possible but often limited. A more comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $879.

Groceries cost around $151 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $20.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $18.92 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33.00).

Cost Highlights

Gasoline is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia

An Najaf is cheaper than 88% of cities worldwide and 64% within Asia.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

14:44 2:44 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,221,248

💱 Currency

Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD

10,000 IQD = 5.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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An Najaf

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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 $586 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $427. 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 $586 per month with rent, or $427 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $879 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.

A central one-bedroom apartment in An Najaf runs about $235 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $124. 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 $151 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 $18.92 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 $586, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.

An Najaf makes a good retirement base. About $879 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 $586 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.