Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Kalar Cost of Living Comparison Between Baghdad and Kalar

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,124 in Baghdad versus $545 in Kalar.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,692 in Baghdad versus $826 in Kalar.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,259 in Baghdad versus $1,106 in Kalar.

Living in Baghdad is roughly 106% more expensive than in Kalar, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Baghdad 18% lower, Kalar 60% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.74 IQD 6,209

$1.86 IQD 2,434

154.84%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.69 IQD 44.1K

$12.41 IQD 16.3K

171.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 IQD 10.1K

$3.64 IQD 4,770

112.91%

Cappuccino

$3.07 IQD 4,024

$0.99 IQD 1,299

210.10%

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

$0.40 IQD 521

$0.52 IQD 683

-23.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 IQD 313

$0.14 IQD 184

71.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.87 IQD 5,071

$6.03 IQD 7,902

-35.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 IQD 4,911

$4.48 IQD 5,873

-16.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 IQD 1,423

$1.10 IQD 1,441

-0.91%

White Bread (500g)

$0.80 IQD 1,042

$0.76 IQD 996

5.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 IQD 1,982

$1.54 IQD 2,021

-1.95%

Eggs

$1.82 IQD 2,386

$1.32 IQD 1,728

37.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.90 IQD 5,106

$3.48 IQD 4,558

12.07%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.70 IQD 6,149

$2.24 IQD 2,930

109.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.34 IQD 18.8K

$12.24 IQD 16.0K

17.16%

Apples (1kg)

$1.12 IQD 1,465

$0.94 IQD 1,228

19.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,389

$1.15 IQD 1,504

-7.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.07 IQD 1,400

$0.94 IQD 1,226

13.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 967

$0.81 IQD 1,059

-8.64%

Potato (1kg)

$0.66 IQD 860

$0.71 IQD 928

-7.04%

Onion (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 915

$0.70 IQD 916

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.62 IQD 813

$0.78 IQD 1,025

-20.51%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 IQD 845

$0.40 IQD 528

62.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.78 IQD 2,333

$2.52 IQD 3,296

-29.37%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.68 IQD 17.9K

$12.62 IQD 16.5K

8.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.14 IQD 2,798

$1.67 IQD 2,191

28.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 IQD 2,971

$2.15 IQD 2,818

5.58%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.64 IQD 838

$0.55 IQD 716

16.36%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.99 IQD 30.1K

$30.21 IQD 39.6K

-23.90%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.25 IQD 2,941

$1.86 IQD 2,440

20.97%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.48 IQD 1,944

$1.80 IQD 2,355

-17.78%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.77 IQD 10.2K

$3.78 IQD 4,947

105.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.67 IQD 877

$0.67 IQD 875

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

$19.4K IQD 25.4M

$16.7K IQD 21.8M

16.23%

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

$19.1K IQD 25.0M

$18.7K IQD 24.5M

2.13%

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

$214 IQD 280.5K

$52.8 IQD 69.2K

305.37%

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

$21.41 IQD 28.0K

$13.44 IQD 17.6K

59.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.10 IQD 55.1K

$23.92 IQD 31.3K

76.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.30 IQD 61.9K

$19.01 IQD 24.9K

148.82%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.04 IQD 28.9K

$38.34 IQD 50.2K

-42.51%

Cinema Ticket

$10.76 IQD 14.1K

$7.79 IQD 10.2K

38.13%

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

$165 IQD 215.5K

$50.8 IQD 66.5K

224.03%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,445 IQD 4.5M

$1,532 IQD 2.0M

124.93%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$29.79 IQD 39.0K

$12.97 IQD 17.0K

129.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.31 IQD 50.2K

$14.14 IQD 18.5K

170.93%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.4 IQD 97.5K

$26.37 IQD 34.5K

182.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.59 IQD 62.3K

$32.17 IQD 42.1K

47.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$566 IQD 741.8K

$171 IQD 224.5K

230.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 IQD 453.5K

$106 IQD 138.8K

226.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$959 IQD 1.3M

$281 IQD 367.7K

241.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$679 IQD 889.1K

$148 IQD 193.9K

358.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,665 IQD 6.1M

$3,286 IQD 4.3M

41.97%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,599 IQD 2.1M

$451 IQD 591.1K

254.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$615 IQD 805.6K

$343 IQD 448.8K

79.50%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.12

2.53

62.85%

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

Last update for Baghdad: September 6, 2026

Last update for Kalar: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $566 in Baghdad and $171 in Kalar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Baghdad pays 80% 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: $34.00 in Baghdad vs $12.00 in Kalar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $186 vs $157 per month, with Kalar cheaper across the board.

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 Kalar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Kalar wins on cost – living expenses run 106% lower than in Baghdad. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kalar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Average pay runs 80% higher in Baghdad, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $566 in Baghdad versus $171 in Kalar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

A monthly transit pass in Kalar runs roughly 31% less than in Baghdad. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Childcare runs $165 in Baghdad versus $50.8 in Kalar. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

At $545 in Kalar versus $1,124 in Baghdad, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kalar but tight or insufficient in Baghdad. The gap between the two cities makes Kalar 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 Kalar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 106% less than in Baghdad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.