Cost of Living Comparison Between Arak and Tehran Cost of Living Comparison Between Arak and Tehran

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $430 in Arak versus $696 in Tehran.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $669 in Arak versus $1,131 in Tehran.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $907 in Arak versus $1,565 in Tehran.

Living in Arak costs roughly 38% less than in Tehran, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Arak 68% lower, Tehran 48% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.97 $2.97

$3.97 $3.97

-25.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.74 $13.74

$18.24 $18.24

-24.67%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.56 $2.56

$5.12 $5.12

-50.00%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.59 $0.59

$0.68 $0.68

-13.24%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.88 $0.88

$1.01 $1.01

-12.87%

Cappuccino

$1.27 $1.27

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

$0.36 $0.36

$0.43 $0.43

-16.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.04 $1.04

Milk (1 liter)

$0.63 $0.63

$0.59 $0.59

6.78%

White Bread (500g)

$0.58 $0.58

$0.53 $0.53

9.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.84 $1.84

5.43%

Eggs

$1.02 $1.02

$1.16 $1.16

-12.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$1.89 $1.89

$3.42 $3.42

-44.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$3.22 $3.22

-40.06%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.59 $8.59

$10.78 $10.78

-20.32%

Apples (1kg)

$0.88 $0.88

$0.91 $0.91

-3.30%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 $1.11

$1.42 $1.42

-21.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.58 $0.58

$0.82 $0.82

-29.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.41 $0.41

$0.68 $0.68

-39.71%

Potato (1kg)

$0.39 $0.39

$0.52 $0.52

-25.00%

Onion (1kg)

$0.37 $0.37

$0.50 $0.50

-26.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.34 $0.34

$0.63 $0.63

-46.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.23 $0.23

$0.25 $0.25

-8.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.01 $1.01

1.98%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 $0.59

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 $1.48

$1.56 $1.56

-5.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.80 $1.80

$2.56 $2.56

-29.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 $0.43

$0.24 $0.24

79.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.97 $9.97

$10.03 $10.03

-0.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.37 $0.37

$0.52 $0.52

-28.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.09 $0.09

$0.31 $0.31

-70.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.21 $1.21

$2.93 $2.93

-58.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.35 $0.35

$0.74 $0.74

-52.70%

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

$43.0K $43.0K

$81.1K $81.1K

-47.02%

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

$39.9K $39.9K

$54.9K $54.9K

-27.31%

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

$10.17 $10.17

$15.63 $15.63

-34.93%

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

$2.06 $2.06

$2.27 $2.27

-9.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$5.69 $5.69

$5.77 $5.77

-1.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.09 $13.09

$22.90 $22.90

-42.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.11 $16.11

$12.01 $12.01

34.14%

Cinema Ticket

$0.98 $0.98

$1.52 $1.52

-35.53%

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

$62.1 $62.1

$126 $126

-50.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,967 $1,967

$1,965 $1,965

0.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$12.86 $12.86

$30.96 $30.96

-58.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$8.21 $8.21

$34.64 $34.64

-76.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.82 $44.82

$123 $123

-63.47%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$45.50 $45.50

$71.3 $71.3

-36.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$315 $315

$491 $491

-35.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$192 $192

$335 $335

-42.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$479 $479

$1,022 $1,022

-53.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$305 $305

$707 $707

-56.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,370 $1,370

$1,412 $1,412

-2.93%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$532 $532

$839 $839

-36.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$323 $323

$212 $212

52.52%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.33

25.07

-26.88%

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

Last update for Arak: April 26, 2026

Last update for Tehran: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $315 in Arak and $491 in Tehran. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Arak pays 53% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $14.00 in Arak vs $18.00 in Tehran for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $86.0 vs $110 per month, with Arak cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Arak vs Tehran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Arak is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 62% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Arak pays 53% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $315 in Arak versus $491 in Tehran. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $430 per month in Arak versus $696 in Tehran – a 62% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Arak runs roughly 1% less than in Tehran. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Arak 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, Arak and Tehran 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 Arak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Tehran. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.