🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $753 in Baghdadi versus $1,055 in Baghdad.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,140 in Baghdadi versus $1,565 in Baghdad.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,526 in Baghdadi versus $2,074 in Baghdad.
🌍Living in Baghdadi costs roughly 29% less than in Baghdad, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Baghdadi43% lower, Baghdad21% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.07IQD 6,644
$5.50IQD 7,206
-7.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.69IQD 21.9K
$36.22IQD 47.4K
-53.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.03IQD 9,209
$7.70IQD 10.1K
-8.70%
Cappuccino
$1.71IQD 2,235
$2.98IQD 3,903
-42.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43IQD 562
$0.36IQD 477
19.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26IQD 342
$0.17IQD 219
52.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93IQD 3,840
$3.51IQD 4,590
-16.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91IQD 3,808
$2.93IQD 3,839
-0.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14IQD 1,490
$1.35IQD 1,768
-15.56%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67IQD 879
$0.78IQD 1,023
-14.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24IQD 2,929
$1.59IQD 2,076
40.88%
Eggs
$1.69IQD 2,215
$1.79IQD 2,338
-5.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.05IQD 7,920
$4.58IQD 5,999
32.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.43IQD 5,798
$4.81IQD 6,296
-7.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.22IQD 12.1K
$14.13IQD 18.5K
-34.75%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02IQD 1,337
$1.23IQD 1,612
-17.07%
Banana(1kg)
$0.97IQD 1,275
$1.21IQD 1,590
-19.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.01IQD 1,323
$1.00IQD 1,311
1.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53IQD 695
$0.74IQD 970
-28.38%
Potato(1kg)
$0.57IQD 747
$0.65IQD 854
-12.31%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64IQD 832
$0.67IQD 881
-4.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65IQD 857
$0.62IQD 817
4.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52IQD 675
$0.66IQD 861
-21.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.72IQD 2,255
$2.05IQD 2,690
-16.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.22IQD 19.9K
$13.49IQD 17.7K
12.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85IQD 2,425
$1.79IQD 2,346
3.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07IQD 2,708
$2.15IQD 2,821
-3.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37IQD 480
$0.75IQD 976
-50.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.42IQD 41.1K
$27.88IQD 36.5K
12.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.25IQD 2,944
$3.93IQD 5,147
-42.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.47IQD 1,925
$1.47IQD 1,922
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.02IQD 7,879
$7.50IQD 9,826
-19.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57IQD 748
$0.56IQD 740
1.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KIQD 24.8M
$19.7KIQD 25.8M
-3.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.6KIQD 25.7M
$19.9KIQD 26.1M
-1.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.3IQD 99.9K
$176IQD 230.7K
-56.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.46IQD 22.9K
$25.81IQD 33.8K
-32.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.09IQD 45.9K
$41.29IQD 54.1K
-15.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.50IQD 47.8K
$42.14IQD 55.2K
-13.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.50IQD 21.6K
$18.56IQD 24.3K
-11.10%
Cinema Ticket
$7.44IQD 9,746
$7.77IQD 10.2K
-4.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$153IQD 200.0K
$168IQD 220.3K
-9.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,291IQD 4.3M
$3,627IQD 4.7M
-9.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.23IQD 35.7K
$27.92IQD 36.6K
-2.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.11IQD 32.9K
$30.46IQD 39.9K
-17.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.4IQD 79.1K
$64.9IQD 85.0K
-6.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.99IQD 53.7K
$43.79IQD 57.3K
-6.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$240IQD 313.6K
$554IQD 725.1K
-56.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$176IQD 230.6K
$321IQD 419.7K
-45.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$590IQD 772.5K
$839IQD 1.1M
-29.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$348IQD 455.1K
$583IQD 764.1K
-40.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,528IQD 2.0M
$4,745IQD 6.2M
-67.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$492IQD 643.7K
$1,597IQD 2.1M
-69.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Baghdadi
Baghdad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$509IQD 665.9K
$612IQD 800.9K
-16.85%
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: July 25, 2026
Last update for Baghdad: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $240 in Baghdadi and $554 in Baghdad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Baghdad pays 20% 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 $36.00 in Baghdad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $175 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 40% 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 in Baghdad?
On paper, salaries run 20% lower in Baghdad. 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 compared to Baghdad?
Rent for a central apartment: $240 in Baghdadi versus $554 in Baghdad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Baghdadi compared to Baghdad?
A monthly transit pass in Baghdadi runs roughly 13% 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 in Baghdad?
Childcare runs $153 in Baghdadi versus $168 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 in Baghdad?
At $753 in Baghdadi versus $1,055 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 40% less than in Baghdad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.