Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and 'aqrah Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and 'aqrah

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.62 IQD 6,048

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.44 IQD 39.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.55 IQD 9,888

Cappuccino

$2.53 IQD 3,313

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

$0.43 IQD 562

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 IQD 416

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.72 IQD 4,872

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.30 IQD 5,631

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 IQD 1,404

White Bread (500g)

$0.66 IQD 863

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 IQD 1,830

Eggs

$1.87 IQD 2,455

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 IQD 9,889

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.41 IQD 8,388

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.95 IQD 18.3K

Apples (1kg)

$0.98 IQD 1,288

Banana (1kg)

$1.31 IQD 1,711

Oranges (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,275

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 854

Potato (1kg)

$0.78 IQD 1,025

Onion (1kg)

$0.66 IQD 865

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 IQD 1,143

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 IQD 502

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.12 IQD 2,772

Wine (Bottle)

$6.90 IQD 9,040

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.09 IQD 4,042

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.90 IQD 5,108

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.56 IQD 731

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.91 IQD 24.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.23 IQD 2,921

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.32 IQD 3,039

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.09 IQD 9,281

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 IQD 767

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

$13.4K IQD 17.6M

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

$22.4K IQD 29.4M

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

$51.1 IQD 66.8K

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

$25.65 IQD 33.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.48 IQD 51.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.35 IQD 47.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.91 IQD 18.2K

Cinema Ticket

$7.52 IQD 9,846

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

$126 IQD 164.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,854 IQD 5.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.36 IQD 64.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.44 IQD 26.8K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.2 IQD 101.1K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.68 IQD 55.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$465 IQD 608.7K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$337 IQD 441.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 IQD 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$623 IQD 815.7K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,610 IQD 2.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$800 IQD 1.0M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$753 IQD 985.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.67

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

Last update for Basra: August 18, 2026

Last update for 'aqrah: August 16, 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

Basra vs 'aqrah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

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

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with 'aqrah. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Basra makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.