Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Baghdad Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Kut and Baghdad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $391 per month in Al Kut vs $1,143 in Baghdad, rent included.

A couple spends around $601 per month in Al Kut vs $1,702 in Baghdad, rent included.

A family of three spends $811 per month in Al Kut vs $2,262 in Baghdad, rent included.

Al Kut is about 66% cheaper than Baghdad, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Al Kut and Baghdad are more affordable than the global median – Al Kut 71% lower, Baghdad 16% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.75 IQD 2,287

$4.91 IQD 6,430

-64.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.26 IQD 44.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 IQD 10.3K

Cappuccino

$3.08 IQD 4,033

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

$0.31 IQD 411

$0.39 IQD 514

-20.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.14 IQD 177

$0.26 IQD 342

-46.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.78 IQD 4,957

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 IQD 4,907

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 IQD 1,464

$1.04 IQD 1,364

7.69%

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 IQD 1,090

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.48 IQD 1,937

$1.54 IQD 2,015

-3.90%

Eggs

$1.58 IQD 2,067

$1.89 IQD 2,479

-16.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.22 IQD 2,910

$3.77 IQD 4,937

-41.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.57 IQD 4,670

$4.59 IQD 6,004

-22.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.24 IQD 12.1K

$14.44 IQD 18.9K

-36.01%

Apples (1kg)

$0.84 IQD 1,100

$1.13 IQD 1,480

-25.66%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,382

$1.06 IQD 1,390

Oranges (1kg)

$0.85 IQD 1,112

$1.03 IQD 1,345

-17.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.49 IQD 640

$0.74 IQD 968

-33.78%

Potato (1kg)

$0.43 IQD 564

$0.69 IQD 906

-37.68%

Onion (1kg)

$0.43 IQD 560

$0.70 IQD 912

-38.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 IQD 509

$0.64 IQD 838

-39.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 IQD 378

$0.69 IQD 907

-57.97%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.02 IQD 1,334

$1.78 IQD 2,336

-42.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.81 IQD 18.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 IQD 2,806

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 IQD 2,977

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 IQD 905

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.15 IQD 30.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.23 IQD 2,918

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 IQD 2,021

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.06 IQD 13.2K

$7.65 IQD 10.0K

31.50%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.62 IQD 806

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

$19.4K IQD 25.4M

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

$19.3K IQD 25.3M

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

$170 IQD 222.7K

$213 IQD 279.2K

-20.26%

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

$15.04 IQD 19.7K

$21.75 IQD 28.5K

-30.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.76 IQD 32.4K

$41.04 IQD 53.7K

-39.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$16.76 IQD 21.9K

$47.75 IQD 62.5K

-64.90%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.22 IQD 27.8K

Cinema Ticket

$5.09 IQD 6,662

$10.68 IQD 14.0K

-52.34%

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

$169 IQD 221.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,400 IQD 1.8M

$3,468 IQD 4.5M

-59.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.36 IQD 26.7K

$30.14 IQD 39.5K

-32.45%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.17 IQD 33.0K

$38.41 IQD 50.3K

-34.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.0 IQD 95.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$30.23 IQD 39.6K

$47.87 IQD 62.7K

-36.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$568 IQD 743.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$351 IQD 459.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$255 IQD 333.4K

$935 IQD 1.2M

-72.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$170 IQD 223.2K

$692 IQD 905.7K

-75.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,015 IQD 1.3M

$4,625 IQD 6.1M

-78.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$495 IQD 647.9K

$1,587 IQD 2.1M

-68.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$615 IQD 805.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.12

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

Last update for Al Kut: September 14, 2026

Last update for Baghdad: September 13, 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

Al Kut vs Baghdad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $391 in Al Kut, $1,143 in Baghdad – roughly 192% apart. Baghdad costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $586 per month in Al Kut and $1,714 in Baghdad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $391 in Al Kut and $1,143 in Baghdad. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 89% more in Baghdad, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Baghdad at $1,143. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Baghdad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. 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.