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 $761 in Iraq, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,377 per month in Canada vs $1,168 in Iraq, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,433 per month in Canada vs $1,575 in Iraq, rent included.

Canada costs about 205% more than Iraq on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Canada sits 73% above the global median, while Iraq is 43% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Canada has a wider regional cost range ($1,320$3,077) than Iraq ($535$1,074), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Canada.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.77 CA$26.26
$4.62 IQD 6,049
306.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.2 CA$104
$23.22 IQD 30.4K
219.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.25 CA$15.74
$6.17 IQD 8,081
82.33%
Cappuccino
$3.86 CA$5.40
$2.24 IQD 2,936
72.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 CA$3.07
$0.42 IQD 549
421.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 CA$2.37
$0.17 IQD 227
894.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 CA$8.33
$2.25 IQD 2,951
164.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.91 CA$8.26
$2.73 IQD 3,574
116.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.29 CA$3.20
$1.23 IQD 1,611
86.18%
White Bread (500g)
$2.76 CA$3.86
$0.82 IQD 1,073
236.59%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.60 CA$5.04
$1.58 IQD 2,065
127.85%
Eggs
$3.50 CA$4.89
$1.79 IQD 2,346
95.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.47 CA$16.04
$4.98 IQD 6,517
130.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.38 CA$17.33
$4.11 IQD 5,376
201.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.97 CA$20.94
$12.42 IQD 16.3K
20.53%
Apples (1kg)
$4.22 CA$5.91
$1.04 IQD 1,356
305.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 CA$2.11
$1.13 IQD 1,475
33.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.90 CA$5.46
$1.05 IQD 1,373
271.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.11 CA$5.74
$0.68 IQD 895
504.41%
Potato (1kg)
$2.79 CA$3.90
$0.62 IQD 807
350.00%
Onion (1kg)
$2.62 CA$3.67
$0.65 IQD 852
303.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.66 CA$3.72
$0.66 IQD 865
303.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 CA$2.54
$0.51 IQD 672
256.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.71 CA$20.58
$2.00 IQD 2,624
635.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.87 CA$18.01
$11.92 IQD 15.6K
7.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.02 CA$4.22
$1.86 IQD 2,435
62.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 CA$4.74
$2.16 IQD 2,834
56.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Canada
Iraq
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.59 CA$3.63
$0.40 IQD 521
547.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.1 CA$109
$32.71 IQD 42.8K
138.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.56 CA$4.98
$2.35 IQD 3,073
51.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.47 CA$2.06
$1.74 IQD 2,273
-15.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.11 CA$40.72
$6.10 IQD 7,990
377.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 CA$1.64
$0.60 IQD 781
95.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K CA$34.4K
$18.3K IQD 24.0M
34.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K CA$28.7K
$19.9K IQD 26.0M
3.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$154 CA$215
$98.4 IQD 128.9K
56.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.20 CA$64.6
$19.08 IQD 25.0K
142.14%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.1 CA$88.2
$32.47 IQD 42.5K
94.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.87 CA$60.0
$34.81 IQD 45.6K
23.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.61 CA$24.64
$14.82 IQD 19.4K
18.83%
Cinema Ticket
$11.46 CA$16.03
$7.77 IQD 10.2K
47.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$813 CA$1,138
$134 IQD 174.8K
509.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K CA$17.1K
$2,580 IQD 3.4M
373.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 CA$78.7
$22.33 IQD 29.2K
151.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.36 CA$57.9
$26.27 IQD 34.4K
57.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.0 CA$125
$57.6 IQD 75.4K
54.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 CA$149
$39.99 IQD 52.4K
165.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canada
Iraq
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,380 CA$1,930
$300 IQD 392.7K
360.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,182 CA$1,654
$198 IQD 258.8K
498.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,125 CA$2,973
$547 IQD 716.9K
288.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,889 CA$2,642
$376 IQD 493.0K
401.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,826 CA$6,751
$1,635 IQD 2.1M
195.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,896 CA$5,450
$779 IQD 1.0M
400.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canada
Iraq
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,947 CA$4,122
$576 IQD 754.6K
411.39%
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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Iraq: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,279 in Canada vs $255 in Iraq. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,500 in Ottawa and $553 in Baghdad.

Average salary: $2,945 in Canada vs $557 in Iraq. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 402% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 183% more in Canada.

Public transport is 97% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 429% higher in Canada, giving Canada stronger purchasing power.

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 173% 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 173% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Canada or 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 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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