Cost of Living Comparison Between Erbil and BytomCost of Living Comparison Between Erbil and Bytom
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Erbil versus $1,291 in Bytom.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,548 in Erbil versus $1,844 in Bytom.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,061 in Erbil versus $2,397 in Bytom.
🙂Living in Erbil costs roughly 20% less than in Bytom, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Erbil23% lower, Bytom4% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.72IQD 10.1K
$10.79zł 39.42
-28.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.83IQD 29.9K
$42.88zł 157
-46.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.98IQD 11.8K
$8.20zł 29.96
9.51%
Cappuccino
$3.13IQD 4,096
$3.55zł 12.95
-11.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49IQD 640
$1.95zł 7.12
-74.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20IQD 261
$1.61zł 5.89
-87.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.00IQD 2,624
$3.20zł 11.70
-37.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14IQD 2,797
$3.84zł 14.02
-44.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32IQD 1,730
$1.08zł 3.96
22.22%
White Bread(500g)
$0.84IQD 1,103
$1.20zł 4.38
-30.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.80IQD 2,355
$1.22zł 4.45
47.54%
Eggs
$1.98IQD 2,599
$3.01zł 11.01
-34.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.54IQD 9,879
$10.49zł 38.30
-28.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.80IQD 6,282
$6.04zł 22.06
-20.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.29IQD 18.7K
$10.72zł 39.16
33.30%
Apples(1kg)
$1.14IQD 1,491
$1.04zł 3.81
9.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.20IQD 1,567
$1.72zł 6.29
-30.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.19IQD 1,561
$1.79zł 6.55
-33.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.76IQD 994
$2.82zł 10.29
-73.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70IQD 918
$0.94zł 3.45
-25.53%
Onion(1kg)
$0.72IQD 938
$0.89zł 3.24
-19.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.78IQD 1,018
$1.14zł 4.15
-31.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53IQD 688
$0.67zł 2.45
-20.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.63IQD 3,449
$5.19zł 18.96
-49.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.55IQD 16.4K
$6.74zł 24.62
86.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45IQD 1,899
$1.11zł 4.06
30.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01IQD 2,633
$1.89zł 6.91
6.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.54IQD 710
$1.28zł 4.68
-57.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.09IQD 44.6K
$36.23zł 132
-5.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.35IQD 3,084
$2.14zł 7.83
9.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.20IQD 2,885
$0.52zł 1.89
323.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.87IQD 8,999
$9.23zł 33.72
-25.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.70IQD 911
$1.77zł 6.46
-60.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KIQD 25.0M
$33.3Kzł 121.6K
-42.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7KIQD 27.1M
$30.0Kzł 109.7K
-31.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$102IQD 134.1K
$342zł 1,248
-70.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.93IQD 23.5K
$8.28zł 30.24
116.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.33IQD 38.4K
$16.15zł 59.0
81.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$72.7IQD 95.2K
$32.94zł 120
120.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.77IQD 15.4K
$19.26zł 70.4
-38.89%
Cinema Ticket
$11.62IQD 15.2K
$7.14zł 26.09
62.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269IQD 352.1K
$311zł 1,134
-13.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,278IQD 4.3M
$9,416zł 34.4K
-65.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.74IQD 42.9K
$86.6zł 316
-62.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.36IQD 63.3K
$30.52zł 112
58.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.0IQD 106.0K
$75.3zł 275
7.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.8IQD 100.5K
$96.4zł 352
-20.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$426IQD 557.6K
$560zł 2,047
-24.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$278IQD 364.4K
$322zł 1,176
-13.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$726IQD 951.1K
$496zł 1,814
46.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$485IQD 635.3K
$407zł 1,488
19.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,123IQD 1.5M
$1,110zł 4,056
1.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$658IQD 862.3K
$1,118zł 4,083
-41.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Erbil
Bytom
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$584IQD 765.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.33
6.78
111.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Erbil: May 31, 2026
Last update for Bytom: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $426 in Erbil and $560 in Bytom. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $23.00 in Erbil vs $43.00 in Bytom for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $197 vs $210 per month, with Erbil cheaper across the board.
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
Erbil vs Bytom: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Erbil or Bytom?
Erbil wins on cost – living expenses run 25% lower than in Bytom. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Erbil the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Erbil vs Bytom?
You'd need roughly $1,551 in Erbil and $1,937 in Bytom 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Erbil vs Bytom?
Rent for a central apartment: $426 in Erbil versus $560 in Bytom. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Erbil compared to Bytom?
All in, you'll spend $1,034 per month in Erbil versus $1,291 in Bytom – a 25% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Erbil vs Bytom?
A monthly transit pass in Erbil runs roughly 6% less than in Bytom. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Erbil or Bytom?
At $1,034 in Erbil versus $1,291 in Bytom, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Erbil but tight or insufficient in Bytom. The gap between the two cities makes Erbil the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Erbil or Bytom?
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 Erbil compared to Bytom?
Safety-wise, Erbil and Bytom 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 Erbil gentler on the wallet – expenses run 25% less than in Bytom. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.