Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-Rumaitha and Basra Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-Rumaitha and Basra

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $388 in Al-Rumaitha versus $962 in Basra.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,246 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,458 in Basra.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,105 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,955 in Basra.

Living in Al-Rumaitha costs roughly 60% less than in Basra, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al-Rumaitha 72% lower, Basra 30% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.60 IQD 6,028

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.03 IQD 39.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.50 IQD 9,827

Cappuccino

$2.56 IQD 3,351

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

$0.46 IQD 604

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 IQD 454

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.85 IQD 5,048

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.31 IQD 5,640

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 IQD 1,460

White Bread (500g)

$0.64 IQD 844

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,015

$1.40 IQD 1,836

-44.29%

Eggs

$1.80 IQD 2,355

$1.87 IQD 2,452

-3.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.57 IQD 9,914

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.95 IQD 2,549

$6.38 IQD 8,353

-69.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.57 IQD 13.8K

$14.01 IQD 18.3K

-24.55%

Apples (1kg)

$0.75 IQD 982

$1.03 IQD 1,343

-27.18%

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,027

$1.38 IQD 1,802

-43.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.77 IQD 1,011

$0.99 IQD 1,292

-22.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.36 IQD 476

$0.69 IQD 904

-47.83%

Potato (1kg)

$0.40 IQD 520

$0.79 IQD 1,033

-49.37%

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 IQD 515

$0.63 IQD 824

-38.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.87 IQD 1,146

-55.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.41 IQD 539

-4.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.50 IQD 1,965

$2.12 IQD 2,779

-29.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.76 IQD 16.7K

$6.75 IQD 8,839

89.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.55 IQD 2,027

$3.10 IQD 4,058

-50.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 IQD 3,031

$3.83 IQD 5,020

-39.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 IQD 475

$0.55 IQD 716

-34.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.45 IQD 25.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.32 IQD 3,040

$2.22 IQD 2,910

4.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 IQD 1,009

$2.34 IQD 3,059

-67.09%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.44 IQD 9,746

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 IQD 722

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

$13.2K IQD 17.3M

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

$9,188 IQD 12.0M

$23.0K IQD 30.2M

-60.13%

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

$49.68 IQD 65.1K

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

$75.0 IQD 98.3K

$25.37 IQD 33.2K

195.78%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.02 IQD 51.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.91 IQD 35.2K

$36.29 IQD 47.5K

-25.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.87 IQD 5,073

$13.74 IQD 18.0K

-71.83%

Cinema Ticket

$11.47 IQD 15.0K

$7.70 IQD 10.1K

48.96%

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

$127 IQD 165.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,845 IQD 5.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.28 IQD 14.8K

$49.73 IQD 65.1K

-77.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.99 IQD 19.6K

$20.19 IQD 26.4K

-25.76%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.4 IQD 104.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$22.81 IQD 29.9K

$41.95 IQD 54.9K

-45.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 IQD 196.8K

$469 IQD 614.4K

-67.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 IQD 149.6K

$339 IQD 443.5K

-66.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$229 IQD 300.4K

$860 IQD 1.1M

-73.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,537 IQD 2.0M

$628 IQD 822.0K

144.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,564 IQD 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$800 IQD 1.0M

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-Rumaitha: August 30, 2026

Last update for Basra: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $150 in Al-Rumaitha and $469 in Basra. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

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-Rumaitha vs Basra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-Rumaitha is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Eating Out. The 148% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $582 in Al-Rumaitha and $1,443 in Basra 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $150 in Al-Rumaitha versus $469 in Basra. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 77% higher in Basra. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $388 per month in Al-Rumaitha versus $962 in Basra – a 148% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Al-Rumaitha gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find Al-Rumaitha gentler on the wallet – expenses run 148% less than in Basra. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.