Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Al-'amarah Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Al-'amarah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,143 per month in Baghdad vs $273 in Al-'amarah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,702 per month in Baghdad vs $294 in Al-'amarah, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,262 per month in Baghdad vs $316 in Al-'amarah, rent included.

Baghdad costs about 319% more than Al-'amarah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Baghdad and Al-'amarah are more affordable than the global median – Baghdad 16% lower, Al-'amarah 80% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.91 IQD 6,430

$1.89 IQD 2,477

159.79%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.26 IQD 44.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 IQD 10.3K

$4.49 IQD 5,883

74.61%

Cappuccino

$3.08 IQD 4,033

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

$0.39 IQD 514

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.26 IQD 342

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.78 IQD 4,957

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 IQD 4,907

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 IQD 1,364

$2.72 IQD 3,567

-61.76%

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 IQD 1,090

$0.74 IQD 965

12.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 IQD 2,015

$0.93 IQD 1,214

65.59%

Eggs

$1.89 IQD 2,479

$1.49 IQD 1,945

26.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.77 IQD 4,937

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 IQD 6,004

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.44 IQD 18.9K

Apples (1kg)

$1.13 IQD 1,480

$0.75 IQD 978

50.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,390

$1.16 IQD 1,519

-8.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 IQD 1,345

$0.79 IQD 1,029

30.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 968

$0.26 IQD 340

184.62%

Potato (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 906

$0.79 IQD 1,029

-12.66%

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 912

$0.40 IQD 519

75.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 IQD 838

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 IQD 907

$0.56 IQD 733

23.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 IQD 2,336

Wine (Bottle)

$13.81 IQD 18.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 IQD 2,806

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 IQD 2,977

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.69 IQD 905

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.15 IQD 30.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.23 IQD 2,918

$2.31 IQD 3,030

-3.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 IQD 2,021

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.65 IQD 10.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.62 IQD 806

$0.33 IQD 431

87.88%

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

$19.4K IQD 25.4M

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 279.2K

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

$21.75 IQD 28.5K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.04 IQD 53.7K

$26.98 IQD 35.3K

52.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.75 IQD 62.5K

$30.44 IQD 39.9K

56.87%

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 221.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,468 IQD 4.5M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.14 IQD 39.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.41 IQD 50.3K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.0 IQD 95.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.87 IQD 62.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$568 IQD 743.5K

$152 IQD 198.5K

274.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$351 IQD 459.9K

$115 IQD 150.3K

205.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$935 IQD 1.2M

$195 IQD 254.9K

380.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$692 IQD 905.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,625 IQD 6.1M

$578 IQD 757.5K

699.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,587 IQD 2.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$615 IQD 805.3K

$501 IQD 655.7K

22.82%

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 Al-'amarah: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $568 in Baghdad versus $152 in Al-'amarah. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 23% higher in Baghdad, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Al-'amarah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Baghdad is pricier by about 319%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,714 per month in Baghdad and $409 in Al-'amarah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Al-'amarah, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,143 in Baghdad and $273 in Al-'amarah. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 170% more in Baghdad, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Al-'amarah, where all-in costs run around $273, than in Baghdad at $1,143. In Al-'amarah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Baghdad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Al-'amarah – 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 Al-'amarah. 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.