Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Baghdad: $1,148 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $18,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

55

Cost of Living Index in Baghdad
Learn more

Baghdad Living Index
129

Cost of Living Index in Austin, TX
Learn more

Austin, TX Living Index

Jump to prices

Baghdad

🇮🇶 Iraq

$1,148

/mo nomad

Austin, TX

🇺🇸 United States

$2,704

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Baghdad and in Austin, TX

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Baghdad and in Austin, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,148 in Baghdad versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

Baghdad $1,148
Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,702 in Baghdad versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

Baghdad $1,702
Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,256 in Baghdad versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

Baghdad $2,256
Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Baghdad costs roughly 58% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Baghdad is 14% below, Austin, TX is 102% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.87 IQD 7,354

$20.22 $20.22

-75.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.91 IQD 52.7K

$85.0 $85.0

-58.94%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.52 IQD 11.4K

$12.35 $12.35

-39.11%

Cappuccino

$3.19 IQD 4,827

$5.47 $5.47

-41.68%

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

$0.36 IQD 548

$3.82 $3.82

-90.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 IQD 379

$2.50 $2.50

-90.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.83 IQD 5,788

$8.06 $8.06

-52.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.90 IQD 5,892

$8.99 $8.99

-56.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 IQD 1,563

$1.13 $1.13

-8.85%

White Bread (500g)

$0.85 IQD 1,284

$3.78 $3.78

-77.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 IQD 2,308

$3.25 $3.25

-52.92%

Eggs

$1.92 IQD 2,901

$4.14 $4.14

-53.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.95 IQD 5,965

$13.08 $13.08

-69.80%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.60 IQD 6,954

$14.31 $14.31

-67.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.07 IQD 21.3K

$15.96 $15.96

-11.84%

Apples (1kg)

$1.14 IQD 1,722

$4.38 $4.38

-73.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 IQD 1,647

$1.45 $1.45

-24.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.04 IQD 1,567

$4.54 $4.54

-77.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 1,125

$4.19 $4.19

-82.34%

Potato (1kg)

$0.68 IQD 1,034

$2.63 $2.63

-74.14%

Onion (1kg)

$0.64 IQD 970

$2.36 $2.36

-72.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 IQD 1,003

$1.76 $1.76

-62.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 IQD 1,020

$2.16 $2.16

-68.52%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.93 IQD 2,922

$9.81 $9.81

-80.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.58 IQD 20.5K

$14.72 $14.72

-7.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 IQD 3,219

$2.78 $2.78

-23.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 IQD 3,296

$3.48 $3.48

-37.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 IQD 1,030

$1.49 $1.49

-54.36%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$23.19 IQD 35.0K

$40.51 $40.51

-42.75%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.25 IQD 3,402

$2.67 $2.67

-15.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.57 IQD 2,373

$1.58 $1.58

-0.63%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.68 IQD 11.6K

$35.29 $35.29

-78.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.68 IQD 1,030

$0.99 $0.99

-31.31%

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

$19.1K IQD 28.8M

$35.8K $35.8K

-46.72%

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

$19.4K IQD 29.3M

$27.2K $27.2K

-28.64%

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

$218 IQD 330.0K

$219 $219

-0.39%

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

$19.65 IQD 29.7K

$58.0 $58.0

-66.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.88 IQD 64.8K

$68.4 $68.4

-37.27%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.30 IQD 71.5K

$57.9 $57.9

-18.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.47 IQD 32.4K

$14.82 $14.82

44.87%

Cinema Ticket

$10.64 IQD 16.1K

$14.13 $14.13

-24.70%

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

$168 IQD 253.1K

$1,509 $1,509

-88.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,430 IQD 5.2M

$21.5K $21.5K

-84.01%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.72 IQD 43.4K

$51.7 $51.7

-44.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.11 IQD 48.5K

$44.05 $44.05

-27.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.4 IQD 103.3K

$85.1 $85.1

-19.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.01 IQD 74.1K

$105 $105

-53.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$577 IQD 871.8K

$1,932 $1,932

-70.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$361 IQD 545.2K

$1,272 $1,272

-71.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,008 IQD 1.5M

$3,670 $3,670

-72.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$669 IQD 1.0M

$2,525 $2,525

-73.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,647 IQD 7.0M

$7,617 $7,617

-38.99%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,569 IQD 2.4M

$3,199 $3,199

-50.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$593 IQD 895.6K

$5,105 $5,105

-88.39%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.12

6.79

-39.32%

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

Last update for Baghdad: October 5, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Baghdad

$361 31.6%

Austin, TX

$1.3K 48.2% 253% $912

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Baghdad

$281 24.6%

Austin, TX

$346 13.1% 23% $65

Groceries & Markets

Baghdad

$186 16.3%

Austin, TX

$403 15.3% 117% $217

Eating Out

Baghdad

$129 11.3%

Austin, TX

$348 13.2% 169% $219

Clothing & Footwear

Baghdad

$80 7%

Austin, TX

$129 4.9% 60.6% $49

Sport & Entertainment

Baghdad

$69 6%

Austin, TX

$86 3.3% 25.6% $18

Getting Around

Baghdad

$36 3.2%

Austin, TX

$57 2.2% 58.3% $21

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $577 in Baghdad and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 761% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $35.00 in Baghdad vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $186 vs $403 per month, with Baghdad cheaper across the board.

Good to know

🇮🇶 Baghdad

🇺🇸 Austin, TX

🕒 Local time

11:30 11:30 AM

03:30 3:30 AM

8 h behind Baghdad

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

7,216,040 Capital

974,447

💱 Currency

Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD

10,000 IQD = 5.9 EUR

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IQD – Iraqi Dinar Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇮🇶 Iraqi Dinar (ع.د)

Iraqi Dinar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1,511 IQD (10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD). 1 EUR = 1,695 IQD (10,000 IQD = 5.9 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

USD to IQD in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Baghdad Austin, TX 11,900 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight

From you

Baghdad
Austin, TX

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Baghdad wins on cost – living expenses run 135% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baghdad the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

On paper, salaries run 761% lower in Austin, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Rent for a central apartment: $577 in Baghdad versus $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $1,148 per month in Baghdad versus $2,704 in Austin, TX – a 135% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Baghdad runs roughly 75% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

At $1,148 in Baghdad versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Baghdad but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Baghdad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Expats usually find Baghdad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 135% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.