Cost of Living Comparison Between 'aqrah and Baghdad Cost of Living Comparison Between 'aqrah and Baghdad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $743 per month in 'aqrah vs $1,074 in Baghdad, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,157 per month in 'aqrah vs $1,581 in Baghdad, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,571 per month in 'aqrah vs $2,088 in Baghdad, rent included.

'aqrah is about 31% cheaper than Baghdad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both 'aqrah and Baghdad are more affordable than the global median – 'aqrah 44% lower, Baghdad 20% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.12 IQD 5,394

$5.26 IQD 6,892

-21.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.25 IQD 33.1K

$36.91 IQD 48.3K

-31.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.04 IQD 9,224

$7.46 IQD 9,777

-5.63%

Cappuccino

$2.59 IQD 3,397

$3.01 IQD 3,939

-13.95%

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

$0.39 IQD 516

$0.36 IQD 477

8.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.22 IQD 282

$0.18 IQD 230

22.22%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.84 IQD 3,720

$3.51 IQD 4,596

-19.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 IQD 3,716

$2.83 IQD 3,706

0.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.36 IQD 1,785

$1.36 IQD 1,784

White Bread (500g)

$0.78 IQD 1,028

$0.80 IQD 1,042

-2.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.65 IQD 2,159

$1.61 IQD 2,102

2.48%

Eggs

$1.79 IQD 2,342

$1.72 IQD 2,247

4.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.43 IQD 5,805

$4.40 IQD 5,759

0.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.78 IQD 6,260

$4.87 IQD 6,373

-1.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.06 IQD 17.1K

$13.88 IQD 18.2K

-5.91%

Apples (1kg)

$1.20 IQD 1,566

$1.28 IQD 1,678

-6.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.15 IQD 1,509

$1.16 IQD 1,523

-0.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.05 IQD 1,378

$1.01 IQD 1,323

3.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.76 IQD 990

$0.70 IQD 920

8.57%

Potato (1kg)

$0.64 IQD 841

$0.68 IQD 895

-5.88%

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 IQD 824

$0.63 IQD 831

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 IQD 812

$0.63 IQD 823

-1.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 IQD 690

$0.66 IQD 867

-19.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.89 IQD 2,478

$2.07 IQD 2,713

-8.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.58 IQD 17.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 IQD 2,442

$1.84 IQD 2,413

1.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.11 IQD 2,762

$2.07 IQD 2,712

1.93%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.40 IQD 519

$0.74 IQD 964

-45.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.94 IQD 40.5K

$28.32 IQD 37.1K

9.25%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.26 IQD 2,958

$3.90 IQD 5,113

-42.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 IQD 1,939

$1.47 IQD 1,923

0.68%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.17 IQD 8,075

$7.61 IQD 9,964

-18.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.53 IQD 696

$0.53 IQD 700

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

$19.2K IQD 25.2M

$19.9K IQD 26.0M

-3.21%

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

$20.1K IQD 26.3M

$20.0K IQD 26.2M

0.50%

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

$76.8 IQD 100.7K

$179 IQD 234.3K

-57.05%

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

$17.87 IQD 23.4K

$25.76 IQD 33.7K

-30.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.74 IQD 45.5K

$40.94 IQD 53.6K

-15.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.42 IQD 49.0K

$41.54 IQD 54.4K

-9.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.00 IQD 22.3K

$18.57 IQD 24.3K

-8.45%

Cinema Ticket

$7.47 IQD 9,779

$7.66 IQD 10.0K

-2.48%

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

$151 IQD 197.3K

$168 IQD 220.3K

-10.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,295 IQD 4.3M

$3,533 IQD 4.6M

-6.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.67 IQD 34.9K

$28.32 IQD 37.1K

-5.83%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.37 IQD 33.2K

$30.84 IQD 40.4K

-17.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$62.0 IQD 81.2K

$65.0 IQD 85.1K

-4.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.81 IQD 53.5K

$43.91 IQD 57.5K

-7.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$243 IQD 318.3K

$557 IQD 729.9K

-56.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$178 IQD 232.9K

$324 IQD 424.8K

-45.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$588 IQD 770.3K

$822 IQD 1.1M

-28.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$341 IQD 447.1K

$594 IQD 777.9K

-42.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,867 IQD 5.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,428 IQD 1.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$622 IQD 814.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.67

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

Last update for 'aqrah: April 27, 2026

Last update for Baghdad: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $243 in 'aqrah versus $557 in Baghdad. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in 'aqrah versus $37.00 in Baghdad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $158 vs $189 – making 'aqrah the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

'aqrah vs Baghdad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Baghdad costs about 44% more than 'aqrah, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,115 per month in 'aqrah and $1,611 in Baghdad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in 'aqrah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $743 in 'aqrah and $1,074 in Baghdad. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 9% less in 'aqrah. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in 'aqrah, where all-in costs run around $743, than in Baghdad at $1,074. In 'aqrah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Baghdad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward 'aqrah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with 'aqrah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Baghdad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.