Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and 'aqrah Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and 'aqrah

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.91 IQD 6,423

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.26 IQD 44.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 IQD 10.3K

Cappuccino

$3.08 IQD 4,029

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

$0.39 IQD 513

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.26 IQD 342

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.78 IQD 4,951

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 IQD 4,901

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 IQD 1,362

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 IQD 1,089

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 IQD 2,012

Eggs

$1.89 IQD 2,476

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.77 IQD 4,931

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 IQD 5,997

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.44 IQD 18.9K

Apples (1kg)

$1.13 IQD 1,478

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,388

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 IQD 1,344

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 967

Potato (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 905

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 911

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 IQD 837

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 IQD 906

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 IQD 2,333

Wine (Bottle)

$13.81 IQD 18.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 IQD 2,803

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 IQD 2,974

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 IQD 904

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.15 IQD 30.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.23 IQD 2,914

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 IQD 2,019

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.65 IQD 10.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.62 IQD 805

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

$19.4K IQD 25.3M

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

$19.3K IQD 25.3M

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

$213 IQD 278.9K

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

$21.75 IQD 28.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.04 IQD 53.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.75 IQD 62.5K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.22 IQD 27.8K

Cinema Ticket

$10.68 IQD 14.0K

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

$169 IQD 221.4K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,468 IQD 4.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.14 IQD 39.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.41 IQD 50.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.0 IQD 95.5K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.87 IQD 62.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$568 IQD 742.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$351 IQD 459.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$935 IQD 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$692 IQD 904.6K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,625 IQD 6.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,587 IQD 2.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$615 IQD 804.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.12

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

Last update for Baghdad: September 13, 2026

Last update for 'aqrah: 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

Baghdad vs 'aqrah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward 'aqrah – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with 'aqrah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Baghdad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.