Cost of Living Comparison Between Az Zubayr and Basra Cost of Living Comparison Between Az Zubayr and Basra

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.51 IQD 5,906

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.88 IQD 40.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.42 IQD 9,712

Cappuccino

$2.55 IQD 3,345

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

$0.44 IQD 571

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 IQD 445

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.90 IQD 5,113

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.12 IQD 5,398

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 IQD 1,462

White Bread (500g)

$0.70 IQD 917

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.47 IQD 1,919

Eggs

$1.82 IQD 2,380

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.53 IQD 9,861

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.36 IQD 8,334

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.04 IQD 18.4K

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,273

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 IQD 1,776

Oranges (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,274

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 856

Potato (1kg)

$0.77 IQD 1,013

Onion (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 856

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 IQD 1,133

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.39 IQD 509

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.08 IQD 2,726

Wine (Bottle)

$6.74 IQD 8,823

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.11 IQD 4,073

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.92 IQD 5,135

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.60 IQD 784

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 IQD 24.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.36 IQD 3,089

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.27 IQD 2,967

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.06 IQD 9,240

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 IQD 783

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

$13.5K IQD 17.7M

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

$23.2K IQD 30.4M

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

$51.4 IQD 67.3K

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

$25.89 IQD 33.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.73 IQD 52.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.24 IQD 47.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.93 IQD 18.2K

Cinema Ticket

$7.60 IQD 9,955

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

$127 IQD 166.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,881 IQD 5.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.97 IQD 65.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.04 IQD 26.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.1 IQD 101.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.43 IQD 54.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$477 IQD 624.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 IQD 453.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$853 IQD 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$626 IQD 819.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,578 IQD 2.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$786 IQD 1.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$777 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 Az Zubayr: September 12, 2026

Last update for Basra: September 14, 2026

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

Az Zubayr vs Basra: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Az Zubayr is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Basra, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

It comes down to priorities – Az Zubayr wins on affordability, Basra on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.