Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Al Kut Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Al Kut

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $965 per month in Basra vs $391 in Al Kut, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,480 per month in Basra vs $596 in Al Kut, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,995 per month in Basra vs $801 in Al Kut, rent included.

Basra costs about 147% more than Al Kut, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Basra and Al Kut are more affordable than the global median – Basra 30% lower, Al Kut 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.66 IQD 6,102

$1.83 IQD 2,391

154.64%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.09 IQD 40.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.83 IQD 10.2K

Cappuccino

$2.67 IQD 3,495

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

$0.47 IQD 609

$0.31 IQD 407

51.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 IQD 448

$0.15 IQD 200

126.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.81 IQD 4,981

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.29 IQD 5,612

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 IQD 1,465

$1.17 IQD 1,526

-4.27%

White Bread (500g)

$0.65 IQD 850

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 IQD 1,828

$1.56 IQD 2,043

-10.26%

Eggs

$1.87 IQD 2,445

$1.55 IQD 2,021

20.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.61 IQD 9,951

$2.24 IQD 2,929

239.73%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.18 IQD 8,084

$3.57 IQD 4,666

73.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.83 IQD 18.1K

$9.17 IQD 12.0K

50.82%

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,275

$0.84 IQD 1,095

15.48%

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 IQD 1,774

$1.05 IQD 1,375

29.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 IQD 1,337

$0.86 IQD 1,121

18.60%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 855

$0.52 IQD 679

25.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 973

$0.46 IQD 604

60.87%

Onion (1kg)

$0.66 IQD 857

$0.47 IQD 609

40.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.88 IQD 1,154

$0.42 IQD 547

109.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 IQD 499

$0.29 IQD 378

31.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.13 IQD 2,786

$0.98 IQD 1,276

117.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.99 IQD 9,149

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 IQD 3,898

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 IQD 4,848

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 IQD 719

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.15 IQD 25.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.24 IQD 2,928

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 IQD 3,052

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.16 IQD 9,372

$10.07 IQD 13.2K

-28.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 IQD 725

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

$13.3K IQD 17.3M

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

$22.9K IQD 30.0M

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

$51.2 IQD 67.0K

$170 IQD 222.3K

-69.87%

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

$25.63 IQD 33.5K

$14.95 IQD 19.6K

71.44%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.53 IQD 50.4K

$25.30 IQD 33.1K

52.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.13 IQD 47.3K

$16.82 IQD 22.0K

114.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.80 IQD 18.1K

Cinema Ticket

$7.51 IQD 9,825

$4.93 IQD 6,453

52.33%

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

$124 IQD 162.3K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,768 IQD 4.9M

$1,393 IQD 1.8M

170.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.0 IQD 65.4K

$20.38 IQD 26.7K

145.49%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.42 IQD 26.7K

$25.32 IQD 33.1K

-19.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.5 IQD 102.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.85 IQD 54.7K

$30.06 IQD 39.3K

39.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$463 IQD 605.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$348 IQD 454.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$843 IQD 1.1M

$254 IQD 332.2K

231.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$632 IQD 826.9K

$172 IQD 225.0K

267.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,566 IQD 2.0M

$1,012 IQD 1.3M

54.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$778 IQD 1.0M

$495 IQD 648.0K

56.96%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$769 IQD 1.0M

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: September 8, 2026

Last update for Al Kut: September 6, 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 Al Kut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $965 in Basra, $391 in Al Kut – roughly 147% apart. Basra costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,447 per month in Basra and $586 in Al Kut. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $965 in Basra and $391 in Al Kut. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 94% more in Basra, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Kut, where all-in costs run around $391, than in Basra at $965. In Al Kut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Basra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

If budget matters most, go with Al Kut. 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.