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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.51 IQD 5,899

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.88 IQD 40.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.42 IQD 9,701

Cappuccino

$2.55 IQD 3,341

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

$0.44 IQD 571

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 IQD 445

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.90 IQD 5,107

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.12 IQD 5,392

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 IQD 1,460

White Bread (500g)

$0.70 IQD 916

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.47 IQD 1,917

Eggs

$1.82 IQD 2,377

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.53 IQD 9,850

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.36 IQD 8,324

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.04 IQD 18.4K

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,271

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 IQD 1,774

Oranges (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,273

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 855

Potato (1kg)

$0.77 IQD 1,012

Onion (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 855

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 IQD 1,132

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 IQD 509

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.08 IQD 2,722

Wine (Bottle)

$6.74 IQD 8,813

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.11 IQD 4,068

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 IQD 5,129

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 IQD 783

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 IQD 24.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.36 IQD 3,085

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.27 IQD 2,964

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.06 IQD 9,229

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 IQD 782

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

$13.5K IQD 17.6M

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

$23.2K IQD 30.4M

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

$51.4 IQD 67.3K

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

$25.89 IQD 33.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.73 IQD 52.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.24 IQD 47.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.93 IQD 18.2K

Cinema Ticket

$7.60 IQD 9,944

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

$127 IQD 166.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,881 IQD 5.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.97 IQD 65.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.04 IQD 26.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.1 IQD 100.9K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.43 IQD 54.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$477 IQD 624.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 IQD 452.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 IQD 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$626 IQD 818.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,578 IQD 2.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$786 IQD 1.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$777 IQD 1.0M

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: September 14, 2026

Last update for Basra: September 14, 2026

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 Basra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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, Basra makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.