😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $500 in Bushehr versus $451 in Mashhad.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $764 in Bushehr versus $774 in Mashhad.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,029 in Bushehr versus $1,098 in Mashhad.
🌍Living in Bushehr is roughly 11% more expensive than in Mashhad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bushehr63% lower, Mashhad66% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.08$6.08
$2.94$2.94
106.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.04$14.04
$19.68$19.68
-28.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42$3.42
$5.01$5.01
-31.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.69$0.69
$0.52$0.52
32.69%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01$2.01
$0.93$0.93
116.13%
Cappuccino
$0.97$0.97
$1.16$1.16
-16.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45$0.45
$0.43$0.43
4.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20$1.20
$0.48$0.48
150.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.52$0.52
$0.53$0.53
-1.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.29$0.29
$0.25$0.25
16.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54$1.54
$1.85$1.85
-16.76%
Eggs
$1.03$1.03
$1.09$1.09
-5.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$1.47$1.47
$2.16$2.16
-31.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.94$2.94
$2.40$2.40
22.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.05$10.05
$10.34$10.34
-2.80%
Apples(1kg)
$0.61$0.61
$0.89$0.89
-31.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54$1.54
$1.21$1.21
27.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.99$0.99
$0.92$0.92
7.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48$0.48
$0.65$0.65
-26.15%
Potato(1kg)
$0.49$0.49
$0.48$0.48
2.08%
Onion(1kg)
$0.29$0.29
$0.49$0.49
-40.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74$0.74
$0.48$0.48
54.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.24$0.24
$0.30$0.30
-20.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.58$0.58
$0.92$0.92
-36.96%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.29$0.29
$0.74$0.74
-60.81%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44$1.44
$0.97$0.97
48.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26$2.26
$2.62$2.62
-13.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20$0.20
$0.19$0.19
5.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.11$10.11
$4.37$4.37
131.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.29$0.29
$0.33$0.33
-12.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29$0.29
$0.52$0.52
-44.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.75$1.75
$1.97$1.97
-11.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.68$0.68
$0.82$0.82
-17.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$59.8K$59.8K
$59.4K$59.4K
0.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$47.3K$47.3K
$71.7K$71.7K
-33.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$20.11$20.11
$13.84$13.84
45.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.01$2.01
$2.29$2.29
-12.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.68$5.68
$5.89$5.89
-3.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.06$16.06
$18.79$18.79
-14.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.26$12.26
$14.90$14.90
-17.72%
Cinema Ticket
$1.95$1.95
$2.05$2.05
-4.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.2$50.2
$46.01$46.01
9.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$590$590
$623$623
-5.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.40$24.40
$22.20$22.20
9.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.52$20.52
$36.65$36.65
-44.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.7$72.7
$95.2$95.2
-23.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.57$40.57
$86.8$86.8
-53.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$283$283
$212$212
33.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197$197
$146$146
34.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$320$320
$455$455
-29.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$320$320
$324$324
-1.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,165$1,165
$1,127$1,127
3.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$581$581
$678$678
-14.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bushehr
Mashhad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$285$285
$253$253
12.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.95
20.5
2.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bushehr: July 13, 2026
Last update for Mashhad: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $283 in Bushehr and $212 in Mashhad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bushehr pays 13% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Bushehr vs $20.00 in Mashhad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $94.0 vs $96.0 per month, with Bushehr cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bushehr vs Mashhad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bushehr or Mashhad?
Mashhad wins on cost – living expenses run 11% lower than in Bushehr. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mashhad the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bushehr or in Mashhad?
Average pay runs 13% higher in Bushehr, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bushehr compared to Mashhad?
Rent for a central apartment: $283 in Bushehr versus $212 in Mashhad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Bushehr compared to Mashhad?
A monthly transit pass in Mashhad runs roughly 131% less than in Bushehr. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Bushehr and in Mashhad?
Childcare runs $50.2 in Bushehr versus $46.01 in Mashhad. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $800/month in Bushehr or in Mashhad?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mashhad gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Bushehr or Mashhad?
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.
How safe is Bushehr compared to Mashhad?
Safety-wise, Bushehr and Mashhad are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Mashhad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Bushehr. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.