Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Al Kut Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Al Kut

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,143 per month in Baghdad vs $391 in Al Kut, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,702 per month in Baghdad vs $601 in Al Kut, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,262 per month in Baghdad vs $811 in Al Kut, rent included.

Baghdad costs about 192% more than Al Kut, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Baghdad and Al Kut are more affordable than the global median – Baghdad 16% lower, Al Kut 71% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.91 IQD 6,430

$1.75 IQD 2,287

180.57%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.26 IQD 44.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.84 IQD 10.3K

Cappuccino

$3.08 IQD 4,033

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

$0.39 IQD 514

$0.31 IQD 411

25.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.26 IQD 342

$0.14 IQD 177

85.71%

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

$1.12 IQD 1,464

-7.14%

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 IQD 1,090

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 IQD 2,015

$1.48 IQD 1,937

4.05%

Eggs

$1.89 IQD 2,479

$1.58 IQD 2,067

19.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.77 IQD 4,937

$2.22 IQD 2,910

69.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.59 IQD 6,004

$3.57 IQD 4,670

28.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.44 IQD 18.9K

$9.24 IQD 12.1K

56.28%

Apples (1kg)

$1.13 IQD 1,480

$0.84 IQD 1,100

34.52%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,390

$1.06 IQD 1,382

Oranges (1kg)

$1.03 IQD 1,345

$0.85 IQD 1,112

21.18%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 968

$0.49 IQD 640

51.02%

Potato (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 906

$0.43 IQD 564

60.47%

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 912

$0.43 IQD 560

62.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 IQD 838

$0.39 IQD 509

64.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.69 IQD 907

$0.29 IQD 378

137.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 IQD 2,336

$1.02 IQD 1,334

74.51%

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

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 IQD 2,021

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.65 IQD 10.0K

$10.06 IQD 13.2K

-23.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.62 IQD 806

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

$170 IQD 222.7K

25.40%

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

$21.75 IQD 28.5K

$15.04 IQD 19.7K

44.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$41.04 IQD 53.7K

$24.76 IQD 32.4K

65.75%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.75 IQD 62.5K

$16.76 IQD 21.9K

184.90%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.22 IQD 27.8K

Cinema Ticket

$10.68 IQD 14.0K

$5.09 IQD 6,662

109.82%

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

$169 IQD 221.7K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,468 IQD 4.5M

$1,400 IQD 1.8M

147.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$30.14 IQD 39.5K

$20.36 IQD 26.7K

48.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.41 IQD 50.3K

$25.17 IQD 33.0K

52.60%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.0 IQD 95.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.87 IQD 62.7K

$30.23 IQD 39.6K

58.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$568 IQD 743.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$351 IQD 459.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$935 IQD 1.2M

$255 IQD 333.4K

267.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$692 IQD 905.7K

$170 IQD 223.2K

305.71%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,625 IQD 6.1M

$1,015 IQD 1.3M

355.85%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,587 IQD 2.1M

$495 IQD 647.9K

220.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$615 IQD 805.3K

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 Kut: 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 Al Kut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,143 in Baghdad, $391 in Al Kut – roughly 192% apart. Baghdad costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,714 per month in Baghdad and $586 in Al Kut. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,143 in Baghdad and $391 in Al Kut. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 89% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Baghdad at $1,143. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Baghdad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. 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.