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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $391 per month in Al Kut vs $965 in Basra, rent included.

A couple spends around $596 per month in Al Kut vs $1,480 in Basra, rent included.

A family of three spends $801 per month in Al Kut vs $1,995 in Basra, rent included.

Al Kut is about 59% cheaper than Basra, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Al Kut and Basra are more affordable than the global median – Al Kut 72% lower, Basra 30% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.83 IQD 2,391

$4.66 IQD 6,102

-60.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.09 IQD 40.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.83 IQD 10.2K

Cappuccino

$2.67 IQD 3,495

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

$0.31 IQD 407

$0.47 IQD 609

-34.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.15 IQD 200

$0.34 IQD 448

-55.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.81 IQD 4,981

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.29 IQD 5,612

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 IQD 1,526

$1.12 IQD 1,465

4.46%

White Bread (500g)

$0.65 IQD 850

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 IQD 2,043

$1.40 IQD 1,828

11.43%

Eggs

$1.55 IQD 2,021

$1.87 IQD 2,445

-17.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.24 IQD 2,929

$7.61 IQD 9,951

-70.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.57 IQD 4,666

$6.18 IQD 8,084

-42.23%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.17 IQD 12.0K

$13.83 IQD 18.1K

-33.69%

Apples (1kg)

$0.84 IQD 1,095

$0.97 IQD 1,275

-13.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.05 IQD 1,375

$1.36 IQD 1,774

-22.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.86 IQD 1,121

$1.02 IQD 1,337

-15.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 IQD 679

$0.65 IQD 855

-20.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.46 IQD 604

$0.74 IQD 973

-37.84%

Onion (1kg)

$0.47 IQD 609

$0.66 IQD 857

-28.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.42 IQD 547

$0.88 IQD 1,154

-52.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 IQD 378

$0.38 IQD 499

-23.68%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$0.98 IQD 1,276

$2.13 IQD 2,786

-53.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.99 IQD 9,149

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 IQD 3,898

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 IQD 4,848

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 IQD 719

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.15 IQD 25.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.24 IQD 2,928

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 IQD 3,052

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.07 IQD 13.2K

$7.16 IQD 9,372

40.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 IQD 725

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

$13.3K IQD 17.3M

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

$22.9K IQD 30.0M

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

$170 IQD 222.3K

$51.2 IQD 67.0K

231.89%

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

$14.95 IQD 19.6K

$25.63 IQD 33.5K

-41.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.30 IQD 33.1K

$38.53 IQD 50.4K

-34.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$16.82 IQD 22.0K

$36.13 IQD 47.3K

-53.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.80 IQD 18.1K

Cinema Ticket

$4.93 IQD 6,453

$7.51 IQD 9,825

-34.35%

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

$124 IQD 162.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,393 IQD 1.8M

$3,768 IQD 4.9M

-63.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.38 IQD 26.7K

$50.0 IQD 65.4K

-59.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.32 IQD 33.1K

$20.42 IQD 26.7K

24.00%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.5 IQD 102.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$30.06 IQD 39.3K

$41.85 IQD 54.7K

-28.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$463 IQD 605.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$348 IQD 454.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$254 IQD 332.2K

$843 IQD 1.1M

-69.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$172 IQD 225.0K

$632 IQD 826.9K

-72.78%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,012 IQD 1.3M

$1,566 IQD 2.0M

-35.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$495 IQD 648.0K

$778 IQD 1.0M

-36.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$769 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 Al Kut: September 6, 2026

Last update for Basra: September 8, 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 Basra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $391 in Al Kut, $965 in Basra – roughly 147% apart. Basra 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 $1,447 in Basra. 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 $965 in Basra. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 94% more in Basra, 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 Basra at $965. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Basra 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, Basra makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.