🙂A single person spends $645 per month in An Nasiriyah vs $1,101 in Erbil, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $886 per month in An Nasiriyah vs $1,630 in Erbil, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,128 per month in An Nasiriyah vs $2,158 in Erbil, rent included.
🙂An Nasiriyah is about 41% cheaper than Erbil, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both An Nasiriyah and Erbil are more affordable than the global median – An Nasiriyah53% lower, Erbil19% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.27IQD 4,286
$7.69IQD 10.1K
-57.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.02IQD 15.7K
$44.38IQD 58.1K
-72.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.04IQD 9,223
$8.42IQD 11.0K
-16.39%
Cappuccino
$2.60IQD 3,407
$3.84IQD 5,027
-32.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39IQD 515
$1.03IQD 1,353
-62.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20IQD 261
$0.44IQD 580
-54.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.93IQD 5,149
$6.05IQD 7,920
-35.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75IQD 4,909
$4.71IQD 6,166
-20.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91IQD 1,186
$1.27IQD 1,657
-28.35%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79IQD 1,034
$0.83IQD 1,083
-4.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99IQD 1,299
$1.68IQD 2,197
-41.07%
Eggs
$1.83IQD 2,395
$1.79IQD 2,345
2.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.89IQD 3,780
$8.06IQD 10.6K
-64.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.51IQD 5,911
$5.78IQD 7,574
-21.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.92IQD 13.0K
$14.84IQD 19.4K
-33.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.14IQD 1,488
$1.13IQD 1,483
0.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.12IQD 1,468
$1.10IQD 1,443
1.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.87IQD 1,138
$1.23IQD 1,612
-29.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.47IQD 616
$0.82IQD 1,068
-42.68%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37IQD 480
$0.70IQD 911
-47.14%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59IQD 776
$0.69IQD 905
-14.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.56IQD 727
$0.74IQD 969
-24.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47IQD 612
$0.55IQD 723
-14.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.57IQD 2,061
$2.52IQD 3,294
-37.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.81IQD 18.1K
$12.54IQD 16.4K
10.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21IQD 2,896
$1.69IQD 2,217
30.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28IQD 2,992
$2.09IQD 2,735
9.09%
🚌 Getting Around
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28IQD 363
$0.59IQD 772
-52.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$43.81IQD 57.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.23IQD 2,925
$1.94IQD 2,544
14.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54IQD 2,019
$1.82IQD 2,381
-15.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.32IQD 3,042
$6.56IQD 8,588
-64.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.67IQD 878
$0.67IQD 882
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4KIQD 25.4M
$18.3KIQD 24.0M
5.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.5KIQD 24.2M
$20.1KIQD 26.3M
-8.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$219IQD 287.3K
$128IQD 167.0K
72.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.67IQD 28.4K
$13.95IQD 18.3K
55.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.02IQD 53.7K
$28.49IQD 37.3K
43.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.13IQD 25.0K
$66.0IQD 86.4K
-70.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$14.62IQD 19.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.85IQD 14.2K
$11.67IQD 15.3K
-7.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$165IQD 215.8K
$309IQD 405.1K
-46.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,488IQD 4.6M
$3,144IQD 4.1M
10.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.37IQD 14.9K
$31.32IQD 41.0K
-63.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.52IQD 50.4K
$44.84IQD 58.7K
-14.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$26.97IQD 35.3K
$69.3IQD 90.7K
-61.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.58IQD 49.2K
$67.4IQD 88.3K
-44.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$460IQD 602.5K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$297IQD 389.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$740IQD 969.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$432IQD 566.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,092IQD 1.4M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$665IQD 870.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
An Nasiriyah
Erbil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$767IQD 1.0M
$614IQD 803.9K
24.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.12
2.53
62.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for An Nasiriyah: September 12, 2026
Last update for Erbil: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 25% higher in An Nasiriyah, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in An Nasiriyah versus $44.00 in Erbil. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $161 vs $204 – making An Nasiriyah the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
An Nasiriyah vs Erbil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in An Nasiriyah and in Erbil compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $645 in An Nasiriyah, $1,101 in Erbil – roughly 71% apart. Erbil costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in An Nasiriyah compared to Erbil?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $967 per month in An Nasiriyah and $1,652 in Erbil. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: An Nasiriyah or Erbil?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $645 in An Nasiriyah and $1,101 in Erbil. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between An Nasiriyah and Erbil?
Kindergarten costs $165 per month in An Nasiriyah and $309 in Erbil. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in An Nasiriyah, where all-in costs run around $645, than in Erbil at $1,101. In An Nasiriyah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Erbil it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: An Nasiriyah or Erbil?
Families tend to lean toward An Nasiriyah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is An Nasiriyah or Erbil safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between An Nasiriyah and Erbil?
If budget matters most, go with An Nasiriyah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Erbil makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
An Nasiriyah vs other spots: cost of living compared