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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $388 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,095 in Erbil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,246 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,654 in Erbil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,105 in Al-Rumaitha versus $2,213 in Erbil.

Living in Al-Rumaitha costs roughly 65% less than in Erbil, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al-Rumaitha 72% lower, Erbil 20% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.67 IQD 10.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.94 IQD 58.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.21 IQD 10.7K

Cappuccino

$3.78 IQD 4,955

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

$1.02 IQD 1,338

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 IQD 541

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.97 IQD 7,823

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.45 IQD 5,829

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 IQD 1,669

White Bread (500g)

$0.79 IQD 1,033

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,015

$1.70 IQD 2,227

-54.12%

Eggs

$1.80 IQD 2,355

$1.76 IQD 2,307

2.27%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.29 IQD 10.9K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.95 IQD 2,549

$5.54 IQD 7,252

-64.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.57 IQD 13.8K

$14.68 IQD 19.2K

-28.00%

Apples (1kg)

$0.75 IQD 982

$1.10 IQD 1,446

-31.82%

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,027

$1.15 IQD 1,503

-32.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.77 IQD 1,011

$1.22 IQD 1,599

-36.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.36 IQD 476

$0.81 IQD 1,061

-55.56%

Potato (1kg)

$0.40 IQD 520

$0.74 IQD 974

-45.95%

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 IQD 515

$0.69 IQD 901

-43.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.79 IQD 1,034

-50.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.58 IQD 761

-32.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.50 IQD 1,965

$2.51 IQD 3,293

-40.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.76 IQD 16.7K

$12.64 IQD 16.5K

0.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.55 IQD 2,027

$1.68 IQD 2,196

-7.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 IQD 3,031

$2.06 IQD 2,693

12.14%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 IQD 475

$0.60 IQD 781

-40.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.88 IQD 57.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.32 IQD 3,040

$1.93 IQD 2,533

20.21%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 IQD 1,009

$1.74 IQD 2,279

-55.75%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.51 IQD 8,521

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.67 IQD 876

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

$17.9K IQD 23.5M

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

$9,188 IQD 12.0M

$19.7K IQD 25.8M

-53.37%

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

$130 IQD 170.4K

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

$75.0 IQD 98.3K

$14.06 IQD 18.4K

433.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.92 IQD 36.6K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.91 IQD 35.2K

$64.5 IQD 84.5K

-58.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.87 IQD 5,073

$14.50 IQD 19.0K

-73.31%

Cinema Ticket

$11.47 IQD 15.0K

$11.23 IQD 14.7K

2.14%

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

$312 IQD 409.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,080 IQD 4.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.28 IQD 14.8K

$31.09 IQD 40.7K

-63.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.99 IQD 19.6K

$45.06 IQD 59.0K

-66.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.2 IQD 89.3K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$22.81 IQD 29.9K

$68.0 IQD 89.0K

-66.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 IQD 196.8K

$473 IQD 619.0K

-68.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 IQD 149.6K

$287 IQD 375.6K

-60.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$229 IQD 300.4K

$732 IQD 958.7K

-68.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,537 IQD 2.0M

$426 IQD 558.4K

260.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,115 IQD 1.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$643 IQD 841.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$613 IQD 803.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.53

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

Last update for Al-Rumaitha: August 30, 2026

Last update for Erbil: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $150 in Al-Rumaitha and $473 in Erbil. 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 Erbil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-Rumaitha is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Eating Out. The 182% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $582 in Al-Rumaitha and $1,643 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $150 in Al-Rumaitha versus $473 in Erbil. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 83% higher in Erbil. 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 $1,095 in Erbil – a 182% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $388 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,095 in Erbil, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al-Rumaitha but tight or insufficient in Erbil. The gap between the two cities makes Al-Rumaitha the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Safety-wise, Al-Rumaitha 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.

Expats usually find Al-Rumaitha gentler on the wallet – expenses run 182% less than in Erbil. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.