Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Iraq Cost of Living Comparison Between Canada and Iraq

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,320 per month in Canada vs $760 in Iraq, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,376 per month in Canada vs $1,167 in Iraq, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,432 per month in Canada vs $1,574 in Iraq, rent included.

The cost of living in Canada is about 205% higher than in Iraq on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Canada sits 74% above the global median, while Iraq is 43% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in Canada ($1,313$3,141) than in Iraq ($521$1,055), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.11 CA$25.43
$4.70 IQD 6,157
285.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.9 CA$104
$23.21 IQD 30.4K
218.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.22 CA$15.75
$6.49 IQD 8,494
72.88%
Cappuccino
$3.78 CA$5.31
$2.25 IQD 2,950
68.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 CA$3.03
$0.39 IQD 506
453.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 CA$2.47
$0.22 IQD 282
700.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.87 CA$8.24
$2.26 IQD 2,956
159.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90 CA$8.28
$2.62 IQD 3,431
125.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 CA$3.09
$1.28 IQD 1,675
71.88%
White Bread (500g)
$2.79 CA$3.92
$0.82 IQD 1,072
240.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.64 CA$5.10
$1.56 IQD 2,045
133.33%
Eggs
$3.52 CA$4.94
$1.73 IQD 2,268
103.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.44 CA$16.05
$4.89 IQD 6,402
133.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.51 CA$17.56
$4.15 IQD 5,429
201.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.01 CA$21.07
$12.49 IQD 16.4K
20.18%
Apples (1kg)
$4.21 CA$5.92
$1.03 IQD 1,345
308.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.43 CA$2.01
$1.18 IQD 1,541
21.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.94 CA$5.53
$1.01 IQD 1,322
290.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.14 CA$5.82
$0.68 IQD 896
508.82%
Potato (1kg)
$2.77 CA$3.88
$0.66 IQD 858
319.70%
Onion (1kg)
$2.77 CA$3.89
$0.65 IQD 853
326.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.55 CA$3.58
$0.62 IQD 810
311.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 CA$2.61
$0.55 IQD 721
238.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.58 CA$20.47
$1.93 IQD 2,531
655.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.23 CA$18.57
$12.15 IQD 15.9K
8.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 CA$4.12
$1.78 IQD 2,328
65.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 CA$4.59
$2.21 IQD 2,890
47.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Iraq
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.61 CA$3.66
$0.36 IQD 477
625.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.3 CA$110
$32.91 IQD 43.1K
137.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.51 CA$4.93
$2.23 IQD 2,923
57.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 CA$2.17
$1.71 IQD 2,244
-9.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.70 CA$40.29
$5.99 IQD 7,841
379.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 CA$1.68
$0.59 IQD 774
103.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K CA$34.6K
$18.2K IQD 23.8M
35.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6K CA$28.8K
$20.1K IQD 26.4M
2.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 CA$218
$98.1 IQD 128.4K
58.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.34 CA$65.0
$19.26 IQD 25.2K
140.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.5 CA$89.2
$31.85 IQD 41.7K
99.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.90 CA$60.2
$34.85 IQD 45.6K
23.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.87 CA$25.08
$14.57 IQD 19.1K
22.65%
Cinema Ticket
$11.50 CA$16.14
$7.75 IQD 10.2K
48.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$815 CA$1,144
$133 IQD 174.4K
511.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.0K CA$16.9K
$2,672 IQD 3.5M
350.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7 CA$78.1
$22.72 IQD 29.8K
144.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.56 CA$59.7
$25.90 IQD 33.9K
64.32%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.2 CA$124
$56.9 IQD 74.5K
54.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 CA$151
$39.49 IQD 51.7K
172.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Iraq
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,332 CA$1,869
$303 IQD 397.0K
339.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,177 CA$1,652
$198 IQD 259.8K
493.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,194 CA$3,079
$549 IQD 718.8K
299.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,888 CA$2,650
$378 IQD 494.8K
399.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,592 CA$6,446
$1,559 IQD 2.0M
194.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,805 CA$5,340
$789 IQD 1.0M
382.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,913 CA$4,088
$562 IQD 736.3K
418.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.33
8.23
-23.09%

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

Last update for Canada: July 25, 2026

Last update for Iraq: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,283 in Canada vs $254 in Iraq. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,468 in Ottawa and $554 in Baghdad.

Average salary: $2,911 in Canada vs $562 in Iraq. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 405% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 183% more in Canada.

Public transport is 103% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 418% higher in Canada, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Canada.

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
Canada vs Iraq: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Iraq?
Iraq is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 183% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Canada, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Canada consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Iraq, contributing to the overall 183% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Canada or in Iraq?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Iraq, but in Canada it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Canada or to Iraq?
Iraq is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

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