Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Ar Ramadi Cost of Living Comparison Between Basra and Ar Ramadi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $965 per month in Basra vs $116 in Ar Ramadi, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,480 per month in Basra vs $195 in Ar Ramadi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,995 per month in Basra vs $274 in Ar Ramadi, rent included.

Basra costs about 734% more than Ar Ramadi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Basra and Ar Ramadi are more affordable than the global median – Basra 30% lower, Ar Ramadi 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.66 IQD 6,109

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.09 IQD 40.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.83 IQD 10.3K

Cappuccino

$2.67 IQD 3,499

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

$0.47 IQD 610

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 IQD 448

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.81 IQD 4,987

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.29 IQD 5,619

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 IQD 1,467

$0.73 IQD 961

53.42%

White Bread (500g)

$0.65 IQD 851

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 IQD 1,830

$1.49 IQD 1,952

-6.04%

Eggs

$1.87 IQD 2,448

$1.86 IQD 2,434

0.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.61 IQD 9,963

$1.55 IQD 2,025

390.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.18 IQD 8,094

$2.35 IQD 3,080

162.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.83 IQD 18.1K

$11.38 IQD 14.9K

21.53%

Apples (1kg)

$0.97 IQD 1,277

$1.13 IQD 1,483

-14.16%

Banana (1kg)

$1.36 IQD 1,776

$1.12 IQD 1,472

21.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.02 IQD 1,339

$1.12 IQD 1,463

-8.93%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 856

$0.55 IQD 725

18.18%

Potato (1kg)

$0.74 IQD 975

$0.59 IQD 768

25.42%

Onion (1kg)

$0.66 IQD 858

$0.37 IQD 478

78.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.88 IQD 1,156

$0.36 IQD 474

144.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 IQD 499

$0.22 IQD 284

72.73%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.13 IQD 2,789

$1.87 IQD 2,452

13.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.99 IQD 9,160

$3.87 IQD 5,063

80.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.98 IQD 3,903

$1.52 IQD 1,988

96.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 IQD 4,853

$2.33 IQD 3,051

59.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 IQD 720

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.15 IQD 25.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.24 IQD 2,932

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.33 IQD 3,056

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.16 IQD 9,383

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.55 IQD 726

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

$13.3K IQD 17.4M

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 67.1K

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

$25.63 IQD 33.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.53 IQD 50.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.13 IQD 47.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.80 IQD 18.1K

Cinema Ticket

$7.51 IQD 9,837

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

$124 IQD 162.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,768 IQD 4.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.0 IQD 65.5K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.42 IQD 26.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.5 IQD 102.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.85 IQD 54.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$463 IQD 605.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$348 IQD 455.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$843 IQD 1.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$632 IQD 827.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,566 IQD 2.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$778 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: September 8, 2026

Last update for Ar Ramadi: 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 Ar Ramadi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Basra costs about 734% more than Ar Ramadi, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,447 per month in Basra and $174 in Ar Ramadi. 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 $116 in Ar Ramadi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 65% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ar Ramadi, where all-in costs run around $116, than in Basra at $965. In Ar Ramadi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Basra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Ar Ramadi – 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 Ar Ramadi. 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.