Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Buenos Aires and Az Zubayr

For one person, living is cheaper in Az Zubayr: $630 a month against $1,656 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $12,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,656
/mo nomad
Az Zubayr
🇮🇶 Iraq
$630
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Buenos Aires and in Az Zubayr

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Buenos Aires and in Az Zubayr actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,656 in Buenos Aires versus $630 in Az Zubayr.

  • Buenos Aires $1,656
  • Az Zubayr $630

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,697 in Buenos Aires versus $1,022 in Az Zubayr.

  • Buenos Aires $2,697
  • Az Zubayr $1,022

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,737 in Buenos Aires versus $1,415 in Az Zubayr.

  • Buenos Aires $3,737
  • Az Zubayr $1,415

Living in Buenos Aires is roughly 163% more expensive than in Az Zubayr, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Buenos Aires is 23% above, Az Zubayr is 53% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.09 ARS 29.0K
$3.65 IQD 5,510
423.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.8 ARS 99.9K
$20.61 IQD 31.1K
219.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.20 ARS 20.0K
$6.13 IQD 9,269
115.33%
Cappuccino
$3.85 ARS 5,841
$2.61 IQD 3,948
47.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ARS 3,020
$0.36 IQD 545
452.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ARS 2,430
$0.21 IQD 325
661.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 ARS 5,959
$3.24 IQD 4,903
21.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 ARS 7,003
$2.58 IQD 3,898
78.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ARS 2,272
$0.95 IQD 1,432
57.89%
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 ARS 3,837
$0.72 IQD 1,092
251.39%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 ARS 2,445
$1.38 IQD 2,092
16.67%
Eggs
$2.84 ARS 4,316
$1.56 IQD 2,359
82.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.30 ARS 15.6K
$4.14 IQD 6,254
148.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
$3.73 IQD 5,637
168.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.30 ARS 20.2K
$12.03 IQD 18.2K
10.56%
Apples (1kg)
$2.88 ARS 4,366
$0.84 IQD 1,277
242.86%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 ARS 3,334
$0.97 IQD 1,468
126.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ARS 2,120
$0.89 IQD 1,350
57.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 ARS 3,004
$0.69 IQD 1,046
186.96%
Potato (1kg)
$1.21 ARS 1,835
$0.56 IQD 849
116.07%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 ARS 1,910
$0.51 IQD 765
147.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 ARS 2,592
$0.51 IQD 767
235.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 ARS 2,603
$0.44 IQD 661
290.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 ARS 6,505
$1.85 IQD 2,795
131.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.70 ARS 8,645
$9.37 IQD 14.2K
-39.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 ARS 3,288
$1.49 IQD 2,251
45.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 ARS 4,188
$1.68 IQD 2,537
64.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 ARS 1,141
$0.38 IQD 567
97.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.27 ARS 41.4K
$21.78 IQD 32.9K
25.21%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.57 ARS 2,375
$1.98 IQD 2,990
-20.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ARS 1,558
$1.33 IQD 2,007
-22.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ARS 12.0K
$6.35 IQD 9,602
24.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 ARS 2,160
$0.59 IQD 885
140.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K ARS 42.4M
$17.4K IQD 26.3M
60.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K ARS 53.1M
$19.2K IQD 29.1M
81.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 ARS 296.2K
$75.0 IQD 113.3K
160.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.16 ARS 38.2K
$11.17 IQD 16.9K
125.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.54 ARS 47.9K
$22.29 IQD 33.7K
41.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.9 ARS 77.3K
$38.46 IQD 58.1K
32.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.73 ARS 25.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.34 ARS 15.7K
$9.03 IQD 13.6K
14.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$463 ARS 703.2K
$157 IQD 237.9K
194.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,793 ARS 13.3M
$2,436 IQD 3.7M
261.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120 ARS 181.8K
$20.33 IQD 30.7K
489.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$95.5 ARS 144.9K
$23.82 IQD 36.0K
300.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 ARS 173.1K
$43.76 IQD 66.1K
160.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 ARS 211.4K
$30.83 IQD 46.6K
351.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$756 ARS 1.1M
$166 IQD 251.4K
354.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$520 ARS 788.8K
$125 IQD 188.3K
317.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,590 ARS 2.4M
$420 IQD 634.1K
278.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,198 ARS 1.8M
$351 IQD 530.1K
241.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,713 ARS 4.1M
$643 IQD 971.0K
322.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,901 ARS 2.9M
$493 IQD 744.3K
285.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buenos Aires
Az Zubayr
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$938 ARS 1.4M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
57.25
3.33
1619.22%

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

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 11, 2026

Last update for Az Zubayr: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
$520
Az Zubayr
$125 76% $395
Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
$283
Az Zubayr
$152 46.2% $131
Eating Out
Buenos Aires
$282
Az Zubayr
$103 63.6% $179
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
$252
Az Zubayr
$108 56.9% $143
Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
$211
Az Zubayr
$53 74.7% $157
Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
$72
Az Zubayr
$57 21.1% $15
Getting Around
Buenos Aires
$37
Az Zubayr
$32 13.7% $5.1

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $756 in Buenos Aires and $166 in Az Zubayr. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $66.0 in Buenos Aires vs $21.00 in Az Zubayr for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $283 vs $152 per month, with Az Zubayr cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🇮🇶 Az Zubayr
🕒 Local time
13:44 1:44 PM
19:44 7:44 PM
6 h ahead of Buenos Aires
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,891,082 Capital
370,000
💱 Currency
Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د
Exchange rates and currency converter

IQD, USD, EUR to ARS – Argentine Peso Converter

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,706 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.86 EUR).

Iraqi Dinar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 1,511 IQD (10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD). 1 EUR = 1,699 IQD (10,000 IQD = 5.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Buenos Aires Az Zubayr 13,230 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Buenos Aires
  • Az Zubayr

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Buenos Aires vs Az Zubayr: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Buenos Aires and in Az Zubayr?
Buenos Aires and Az Zubayr differ by about 163% in total monthly costs ($1,656 vs $630 including rent). Az Zubayr is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Buenos Aires compared to Az Zubayr?
You'd need roughly $2,484 in Buenos Aires and $945 in Az Zubayr 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Buenos Aires and in Az Zubayr?
Rent for a central apartment: $756 in Buenos Aires versus $166 in Az Zubayr. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 86% higher in Buenos Aires. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Az Zubayr – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $66.0 in Buenos Aires. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $630 in Az Zubayr versus $1,656 in Buenos Aires, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Az Zubayr but tight or insufficient in Buenos Aires. The gap between the two cities makes Az Zubayr the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Buenos Aires and Az Zubayr?
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.
Is Buenos Aires or Az Zubayr safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Buenos Aires and Az Zubayr are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Buenos Aires or Az Zubayr?
Expats usually find Az Zubayr gentler on the wallet – expenses run 163% less than in Buenos Aires. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Buenos Aires vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?