🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $723 in Al Kazimiyah versus $1,034 in Erbil.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,154 in Al Kazimiyah versus $1,522 in Erbil.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,585 in Al Kazimiyah versus $2,010 in Erbil.
🌍Living in Al Kazimiyah costs roughly 30% less than in Erbil, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Al Kazimiyah46% lower, Erbil23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.94IQD 5,161
$7.71IQD 10.1K
-48.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.95IQD 32.7K
$22.64IQD 29.6K
10.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.91IQD 9,055
$8.88IQD 11.6K
-22.18%
Cappuccino
$2.55IQD 3,337
$3.20IQD 4,189
-20.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37IQD 483
$0.48IQD 630
-22.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16IQD 214
$0.20IQD 262
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.99IQD 3,917
$1.93IQD 2,523
54.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86IQD 3,741
$2.14IQD 2,803
33.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37IQD 1,788
$1.31IQD 1,719
4.58%
White Bread(500g)
$0.84IQD 1,100
$0.85IQD 1,108
-1.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64IQD 2,146
$1.86IQD 2,439
-11.83%
Eggs
$1.80IQD 2,357
$1.98IQD 2,590
-9.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.42IQD 5,790
$7.23IQD 9,474
-38.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.78IQD 6,259
$4.72IQD 6,184
1.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.42IQD 17.6K
$14.24IQD 18.7K
-5.76%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20IQD 1,578
$1.19IQD 1,563
0.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21IQD 1,585
$1.15IQD 1,505
5.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.00IQD 1,313
$1.15IQD 1,502
-13.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.73IQD 961
$0.81IQD 1,057
-9.88%
Potato(1kg)
$0.64IQD 841
$0.68IQD 888
-5.88%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62IQD 814
$0.75IQD 980
-17.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63IQD 829
$0.73IQD 952
-13.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56IQD 737
$0.57IQD 742
-1.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.88IQD 2,457
$2.62IQD 3,428
-28.24%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$12.19IQD 16.0K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84IQD 2,416
$1.39IQD 1,824
32.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15IQD 2,822
$1.97IQD 2,579
9.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40IQD 518
$0.59IQD 776
-32.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.10IQD 40.7K
$35.14IQD 46.0K
-11.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.33IQD 3,048
$2.25IQD 2,942
3.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.53IQD 2,007
$2.33IQD 3,052
-34.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.96IQD 7,801
$6.75IQD 8,845
-11.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57IQD 752
$0.65IQD 849
-12.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.8KIQD 24.6M
$19.4KIQD 25.4M
-3.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9KIQD 26.1M
$20.8KIQD 27.3M
-4.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.3IQD 99.9K
$102IQD 133.2K
-24.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.47IQD 22.9K
$17.42IQD 22.8K
0.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.12IQD 44.7K
$29.58IQD 38.7K
15.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.07IQD 47.2K
$73.8IQD 96.6K
-51.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.91IQD 22.1K
$11.55IQD 15.1K
46.41%
Cinema Ticket
$7.73IQD 10.1K
$11.41IQD 14.9K
-32.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$151IQD 197.3K
$263IQD 343.7K
-42.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,327IQD 4.4M
$3,250IQD 4.3M
2.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.55IQD 36.1K
$33.46IQD 43.8K
-17.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.18IQD 33.0K
$49.61IQD 65.0K
-49.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.0IQD 81.2K
$81.1IQD 106.2K
-23.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.64IQD 53.2K
$76.5IQD 100.2K
-46.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$241IQD 315.8K
$429IQD 562.2K
-43.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179IQD 234.1K
$275IQD 360.3K
-35.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580IQD 759.4K
$732IQD 958.5K
-20.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$348IQD 456.2K
$495IQD 647.8K
-29.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,130IQD 1.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$660IQD 864.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Kazimiyah
Erbil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$581IQD 760.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.67
14.33
-60.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Kazimiyah: July 12, 2026
Last update for Erbil: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $241 in Al Kazimiyah and $429 in Erbil. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $25.00 in Al Kazimiyah vs $23.00 in Erbil. Groceries flip the comparison at $160 vs $195, with Al Kazimiyah cheaper for home cooking.
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
Al Kazimiyah vs Erbil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erbil cheaper than Al Kazimiyah?
Al Kazimiyah is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 43% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,084 in Al Kazimiyah and $1,551 in Erbil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Al Kazimiyah and Erbil?
Rent for a central apartment: $241 in Al Kazimiyah versus $429 in Erbil. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Al Kazimiyah or in Erbil?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Kazimiyah – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $23.00 in Erbil. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Al Kazimiyah and in Erbil?
All in, you'll spend $723 per month in Al Kazimiyah versus $1,034 in Erbil – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Al Kazimiyah or Erbil?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Al Kazimiyah gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Al Kazimiyah or in Erbil?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Al Kazimiyah or Erbil?
Safety-wise, Al Kazimiyah and Erbil are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al Kazimiyah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Erbil. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Al Kazimiyah vs other spots: cost of living compared