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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.50 IQD 5,891

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$23.28 IQD 30.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.07 IQD 9,250

Cappuccino

$2.43 IQD 3,179

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

$0.45 IQD 592

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 IQD 274

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.70 IQD 6,152

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 IQD 3,045

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 IQD 1,738

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 IQD 1,282

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 IQD 2,505

Eggs

$1.76 IQD 2,296

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.95 IQD 6,470

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.55 IQD 4,639

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.75 IQD 20.6K

Apples (1kg)

$1.32 IQD 1,722

Banana (1kg)

$1.30 IQD 1,699

Oranges (1kg)

$1.15 IQD 1,498

Tomato (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 910

Potato (1kg)

$0.55 IQD 720

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 900

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.68 IQD 889

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 IQD 688

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.46 IQD 3,214

Wine (Bottle)

$11.60 IQD 15.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.87 IQD 2,448

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.70 IQD 2,229

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 IQD 724

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.88 IQD 29.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.33 IQD 3,041

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.24 IQD 2,933

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.47 IQD 7,160

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 IQD 943

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

$20.6K IQD 26.9M

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

$19.0K IQD 24.9M

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

$101 IQD 131.5K

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

$10.98 IQD 14.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.50 IQD 37.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$35.99 IQD 47.1K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.18 IQD 26.4K

Cinema Ticket

$7.54 IQD 9,860

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

$176 IQD 230.8K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,879 IQD 3.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$19.43 IQD 25.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.44 IQD 33.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$42.51 IQD 55.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.09 IQD 49.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$226 IQD 295.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$173 IQD 226.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$506 IQD 661.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$363 IQD 474.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$831 IQD 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$587 IQD 767.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$580 IQD 758.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.77

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

Last update for 'aqrah: September 14, 2026

Last update for Sulaymaniyah: 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 Sulaymaniyah: 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, Sulaymaniyah makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.