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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $388 in Al-Rumaitha versus $774 in Sulaymaniyah.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,246 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,198 in Sulaymaniyah.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,105 in Al-Rumaitha versus $1,623 in Sulaymaniyah.

Living in Al-Rumaitha costs roughly 50% less than in Sulaymaniyah, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Al-Rumaitha 72% lower, Sulaymaniyah 44% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.68 IQD 6,133

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.61 IQD 29.6K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.95 IQD 9,102

Cappuccino

$2.37 IQD 3,097

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

$0.42 IQD 553

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 IQD 274

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.67 IQD 6,119

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 IQD 3,029

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 IQD 1,768

White Bread (500g)

$0.91 IQD 1,191

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,015

$2.01 IQD 2,636

-61.19%

Eggs

$1.80 IQD 2,355

$1.68 IQD 2,201

7.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.99 IQD 6,531

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.95 IQD 2,549

$3.56 IQD 4,658

-45.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.57 IQD 13.8K

$15.68 IQD 20.5K

-32.59%

Apples (1kg)

$0.75 IQD 982

$1.32 IQD 1,728

-43.18%

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,027

$1.29 IQD 1,686

-39.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.77 IQD 1,011

$1.20 IQD 1,568

-35.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.36 IQD 476

$0.70 IQD 919

-48.57%

Potato (1kg)

$0.40 IQD 520

$0.59 IQD 778

-32.20%

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 IQD 515

$0.68 IQD 893

-42.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.72 IQD 937

-45.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.50 IQD 650

-22.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.50 IQD 1,965

$2.40 IQD 3,148

-37.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.76 IQD 16.7K

$11.54 IQD 15.1K

10.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.55 IQD 2,027

$1.95 IQD 2,560

-20.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 IQD 3,031

$1.67 IQD 2,193

38.32%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 IQD 475

$0.55 IQD 722

-34.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.03 IQD 30.2K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.32 IQD 3,040

$2.36 IQD 3,087

-1.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 IQD 1,009

$2.26 IQD 2,961

-65.93%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.33 IQD 6,982

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.67 IQD 879

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

$20.4K IQD 26.6M

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

$9,188 IQD 12.0M

$19.4K IQD 25.4M

-52.72%

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

$99.6 IQD 130.4K

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

$75.0 IQD 98.3K

$11.01 IQD 14.4K

581.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.26 IQD 38.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.91 IQD 35.2K

$36.07 IQD 47.2K

-25.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.87 IQD 5,073

$20.49 IQD 26.8K

-81.11%

Cinema Ticket

$11.47 IQD 15.0K

$7.69 IQD 10.1K

49.15%

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

$176 IQD 231.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,969 IQD 3.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$11.28 IQD 14.8K

$18.91 IQD 24.8K

-40.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$14.99 IQD 19.6K

$25.92 IQD 33.9K

-42.17%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$42.61 IQD 55.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$22.81 IQD 29.9K

$37.42 IQD 49.0K

-39.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 IQD 196.8K

$229 IQD 300.2K

-34.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$114 IQD 149.6K

$177 IQD 231.7K

-35.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$229 IQD 300.4K

$499 IQD 653.5K

-54.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,537 IQD 2.0M

$357 IQD 466.9K

331.13%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$813 IQD 1.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$582 IQD 761.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$563 IQD 737.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.77

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

Last update for Al-Rumaitha: August 30, 2026

Last update for Sulaymaniyah: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $150 in Al-Rumaitha and $229 in Sulaymaniyah. 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 Sulaymaniyah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-Rumaitha is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Eating Out. The 100% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $582 in Al-Rumaitha and $1,161 in Sulaymaniyah 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 $229 in Sulaymaniyah. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Sulaymaniyah. 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 $774 in Sulaymaniyah – a 100% 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.

Safety-wise, Al-Rumaitha and Sulaymaniyah 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 100% less than in Sulaymaniyah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.