🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $737 in Baghdadi versus $1,074 in Baghdad.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,137 in Baghdadi versus $1,573 in Baghdad.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,537 in Baghdadi versus $2,073 in Baghdad.
🙂Living in Baghdadi costs roughly 31% less than in Baghdad, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Baghdadi45% lower, Baghdad20% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.88IQD 6,388
$5.27IQD 6,895
-7.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.69IQD 21.9K
$36.86IQD 48.3K
-54.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.90IQD 9,042
$7.78IQD 10.2K
-11.31%
Cappuccino
$1.76IQD 2,308
$2.98IQD 3,909
-40.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42IQD 549
$0.39IQD 512
7.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24IQD 313
$0.17IQD 216
41.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92IQD 3,827
$3.38IQD 4,429
-13.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85IQD 3,735
$2.89IQD 3,785
-1.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14IQD 1,490
$1.30IQD 1,702
-12.31%
White Bread(500g)
$0.63IQD 826
$0.83IQD 1,087
-24.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24IQD 2,935
$1.67IQD 2,181
34.13%
Eggs
$1.69IQD 2,219
$1.79IQD 2,343
-5.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.74IQD 7,517
$4.52IQD 5,918
26.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.38IQD 5,735
$4.84IQD 6,342
-9.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.05IQD 11.9K
$14.04IQD 18.4K
-35.54%
Apples(1kg)
$0.97IQD 1,273
$1.28IQD 1,680
-24.22%
Banana(1kg)
$0.98IQD 1,288
$1.15IQD 1,504
-14.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.01IQD 1,328
$1.04IQD 1,363
-2.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57IQD 744
$0.70IQD 914
-18.57%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56IQD 737
$0.69IQD 897
-18.84%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63IQD 829
$0.62IQD 813
1.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70IQD 920
$0.67IQD 883
4.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48IQD 629
$0.63IQD 824
-23.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.80IQD 2,357
$2.13IQD 2,786
-15.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.12IQD 19.8K
$13.64IQD 17.9K
10.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82IQD 2,385
$1.79IQD 2,348
1.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16IQD 2,826
$2.15IQD 2,812
0.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36IQD 477
$0.76IQD 993
-52.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.64IQD 40.1K
$28.16IQD 36.9K
8.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.31IQD 3,030
$3.78IQD 4,954
-38.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.48IQD 1,932
$1.53IQD 1,999
-3.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.98IQD 7,835
$7.54IQD 9,868
-20.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57IQD 740
$0.57IQD 750
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3KIQD 25.2M
$20.0KIQD 26.1M
-3.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2KIQD 26.4M
$20.3KIQD 26.6M
-0.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.4IQD 101.4K
$181IQD 236.7K
-57.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.78IQD 23.3K
$25.64IQD 33.6K
-30.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.54IQD 45.2K
$40.76IQD 53.4K
-15.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.46IQD 47.7K
$41.00IQD 53.7K
-11.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.04IQD 22.3K
$18.56IQD 24.3K
-8.19%
Cinema Ticket
$7.75IQD 10.2K
$7.81IQD 10.2K
-0.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$149IQD 194.9K
$166IQD 217.8K
-10.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,218IQD 4.2M
$3,523IQD 4.6M
-8.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.30IQD 35.7K
$28.27IQD 37.0K
-3.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.13IQD 32.9K
$30.19IQD 39.5K
-16.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.7IQD 79.5K
$63.3IQD 82.9K
-4.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.54IQD 54.4K
$43.71IQD 57.2K
-4.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$242IQD 317.1K
$553IQD 724.7K
-56.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$182IQD 237.7K
$320IQD 418.5K
-43.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584IQD 765.4K
$818IQD 1.1M
-28.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$345IQD 452.2K
$583IQD 763.6K
-40.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,524IQD 2.0M
$4,017IQD 5.3M
-62.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$506IQD 662.5K
$1,614IQD 2.1M
-68.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$498IQD 652.7K
$648IQD 848.7K
-23.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.67
5.67
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Baghdadi: June 8, 2026
Last update for Baghdad: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $242 in Baghdadi and $553 in Baghdad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Baghdad pays 30% 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: $17.00 in Baghdadi vs $37.00 in Baghdad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $173 vs $190 per month, with Baghdadi 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
Baghdadi vs Baghdad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Baghdadi or Baghdad?
Baghdadi wins on cost – living expenses run 46% lower than in Baghdad. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baghdadi the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Baghdadi or Baghdad?
On paper, Baghdad earns 30% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Baghdadi vs Baghdad?
Rent for a central apartment: $242 in Baghdadi versus $553 in Baghdad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Baghdadi vs Baghdad?
A monthly transit pass in Baghdadi runs roughly 9% less than in Baghdad. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Baghdadi and Baghdad?
Childcare runs $149 in Baghdadi versus $166 in Baghdad. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Baghdadi or Baghdad?
At $737 in Baghdadi versus $1,074 in Baghdad, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Baghdadi but tight or insufficient in Baghdad. The gap between the two cities makes Baghdadi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Baghdadi or Baghdad?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Baghdadi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Baghdad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.