Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Al-Rumaitha Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Al-Rumaitha

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $962 in Basra versus $388 in Al-Rumaitha.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,458 in Basra versus $1,246 in Al-Rumaitha.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,955 in Basra versus $2,105 in Al-Rumaitha.

Living in Basra is roughly 148% more expensive than in Al-Rumaitha, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Basra 30% lower, Al-Rumaitha 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.60 IQD 6,028

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$30.03 IQD 39.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.50 IQD 9,827

Cappuccino

$2.56 IQD 3,351

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

$0.46 IQD 604

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 IQD 454

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.85 IQD 5,048

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.31 IQD 5,640

Milk (1 liter)

$1.11 IQD 1,460

White Bread (500g)

$0.64 IQD 844

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 IQD 1,836

$0.78 IQD 1,015

79.49%

Eggs

$1.87 IQD 2,452

$1.80 IQD 2,355

3.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.57 IQD 9,914

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.38 IQD 8,353

$1.95 IQD 2,549

227.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.01 IQD 18.3K

$10.57 IQD 13.8K

32.54%

Apples (1kg)

$1.03 IQD 1,343

$0.75 IQD 982

37.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.38 IQD 1,802

$0.78 IQD 1,027

76.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 IQD 1,292

$0.77 IQD 1,011

28.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 904

$0.36 IQD 476

91.67%

Potato (1kg)

$0.79 IQD 1,033

$0.40 IQD 520

97.50%

Onion (1kg)

$0.63 IQD 824

$0.39 IQD 515

61.54%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.87 IQD 1,146

$0.39 IQD 512

123.08%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 IQD 539

$0.39 IQD 512

5.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.12 IQD 2,779

$1.50 IQD 1,965

41.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.75 IQD 8,839

$12.76 IQD 16.7K

-47.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.10 IQD 4,058

$1.55 IQD 2,027

100.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.83 IQD 5,020

$2.31 IQD 3,031

65.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 IQD 716

$0.36 IQD 475

52.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.45 IQD 25.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 IQD 2,910

$2.32 IQD 3,040

-4.31%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.34 IQD 3,059

$0.77 IQD 1,009

203.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.44 IQD 9,746

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 IQD 722

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

$13.2K IQD 17.3M

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

$23.0K IQD 30.2M

$9,188 IQD 12.0M

150.80%

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

$49.68 IQD 65.1K

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

$25.37 IQD 33.2K

$75.0 IQD 98.3K

-66.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.02 IQD 51.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.29 IQD 47.5K

$26.91 IQD 35.2K

34.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.74 IQD 18.0K

$3.87 IQD 5,073

255.04%

Cinema Ticket

$7.70 IQD 10.1K

$11.47 IQD 15.0K

-32.87%

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

$127 IQD 165.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,845 IQD 5.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.73 IQD 65.1K

$11.28 IQD 14.8K

340.87%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.19 IQD 26.4K

$14.99 IQD 19.6K

34.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.4 IQD 104.0K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.95 IQD 54.9K

$22.81 IQD 29.9K

83.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$469 IQD 614.4K

$150 IQD 196.8K

212.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$339 IQD 443.5K

$114 IQD 149.6K

196.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$860 IQD 1.1M

$229 IQD 300.4K

274.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$628 IQD 822.0K

$1,537 IQD 2.0M

-59.16%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,564 IQD 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$800 IQD 1.0M

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: August 29, 2026

Last update for Al-Rumaitha: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $469 in Basra and $150 in Al-Rumaitha. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

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-Rumaitha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Al-Rumaitha is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 148% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $1,443 in Basra and $582 in Al-Rumaitha to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $469 in Basra versus $150 in Al-Rumaitha. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Supermarket bills run roughly 77% higher in Basra. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.

All in, you'll spend $962 per month in Basra versus $388 in Al-Rumaitha – a 148% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Al-Rumaitha gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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 Al-Rumaitha gentler on the wallet – expenses run 148% less than in Basra. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.