Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Erbil and Koysinjaq

For one person, living is cheaper in Koysinjaq: $751 a month against $958 in Erbil, rent and utilities included – about $2,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Erbil, Iraq
Koysinjaq, Iraq
Erbil
🇮🇶 Iraq
$958
/mo nomad
Koysinjaq
🇮🇶 Iraq
$751
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Erbil and in Koysinjaq

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

A single person spends $958 per month in Erbil vs $751 in Koysinjaq, rent included.

  • Erbil $958
  • Koysinjaq $751

A couple spends around $1,427 per month in Erbil vs $1,175 in Koysinjaq, rent included.

  • Erbil $1,427
  • Koysinjaq $1,175

A family of three spends $1,896 per month in Erbil vs $1,598 in Koysinjaq, rent included.

  • Erbil $1,896
  • Koysinjaq $1,598

Erbil costs about 27% more than Koysinjaq, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Erbil and Koysinjaq are more affordable than the global median – Erbil 30% lower, Koysinjaq 45% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.42 IQD 9,704
$4.02 IQD 6,075
59.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.55 IQD 55.2K
$36.79 IQD 55.6K
-0.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.41 IQD 11.2K
$7.24 IQD 10.9K
2.35%
Cappuccino
$3.24 IQD 4,889
$3.21 IQD 4,855
0.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 IQD 1,341
$0.83 IQD 1,247
7.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 IQD 505
$0.33 IQD 505
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.75 IQD 8,681
$5.74 IQD 8,671
0.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92 IQD 5,921
$3.90 IQD 5,899
0.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 IQD 1,611
$1.09 IQD 1,649
-1.83%
White Bread (500g)
$0.67 IQD 1,019
$0.71 IQD 1,078
-5.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.52 IQD 2,303
$1.53 IQD 2,308
-0.65%
Eggs
$1.60 IQD 2,413
$1.52 IQD 2,297
5.26%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.00 IQD 10.6K
$7.01 IQD 10.6K
-0.14%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.38 IQD 6,614
$4.24 IQD 6,409
3.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.67 IQD 19.1K
$12.56 IQD 19.0K
0.88%
Apples (1kg)
$0.94 IQD 1,415
$0.99 IQD 1,493
-5.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.01 IQD 1,528
$0.97 IQD 1,464
4.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.02 IQD 1,544
$1.02 IQD 1,547
-
Tomato (1kg)
$0.70 IQD 1,064
$0.70 IQD 1,063
-
Potato (1kg)
$0.65 IQD 982
$0.60 IQD 910
8.33%
Onion (1kg)
$0.63 IQD 952
$0.59 IQD 897
6.78%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 IQD 968
$0.65 IQD 983
-1.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 IQD 781
$0.51 IQD 775
1.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19 IQD 3,303
$2.20 IQD 3,331
-0.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.83 IQD 16.4K
$10.83 IQD 16.4K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 IQD 2,191
$1.40 IQD 2,119
3.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 IQD 2,712
$1.88 IQD 2,838
-4.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.49 IQD 736
$0.36 IQD 538
36.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.29 IQD 59.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.67 IQD 2,519
$1.63 IQD 2,467
2.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 IQD 2,418
$1.56 IQD 2,355
2.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.78 IQD 8,728
$5.76 IQD 8,702
0.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.57 IQD 867
$0.58 IQD 876
-1.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8K IQD 25.4M
$16.3K IQD 24.6M
3.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.1K IQD 25.9M
$17.2K IQD 26.0M
-0.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$111 IQD 168.1K
$111 IQD 168.4K
-0.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.24 IQD 18.5K
$12.19 IQD 18.4K
0.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.61 IQD 37.2K
$24.61 IQD 37.2K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.0 IQD 86.1K
$32.08 IQD 48.5K
77.52%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.48 IQD 20.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.63 IQD 14.6K
$10.03 IQD 15.2K
-3.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$294 IQD 443.8K
$294 IQD 444.3K
-0.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,726 IQD 4.1M
$2,751 IQD 4.2M
-0.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.71 IQD 40.4K
$27.10 IQD 41.0K
-1.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.49 IQD 58.2K
$39.46 IQD 59.6K
-2.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.1 IQD 92.3K
$59.9 IQD 90.4K
2.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.9 IQD 90.5K
$58.3 IQD 88.2K
2.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$426 IQD 643.6K
$224 IQD 339.0K
89.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$271 IQD 410.0K
$151 IQD 227.8K
79.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$699 IQD 1.1M
$391 IQD 590.9K
78.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$404 IQD 610.4K
$296 IQD 447.9K
36.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,017 IQD 1.5M
$980 IQD 1.5M
3.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$615 IQD 929.8K
$551 IQD 831.9K
11.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Erbil
Koysinjaq
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$519 IQD 783.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.53
2.53
-

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

Last update for Erbil: October 26, 2026

Last update for Koysinjaq: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Erbil
$271
Koysinjaq
$151 44.4% $121
Groceries & Markets
Erbil
$174
Koysinjaq
$173 0.5% $0.9
Eating Out
Erbil
$154
Koysinjaq
$134 13.2% $20
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Erbil
$148
Koysinjaq
$148 0.1% $0.2
Clothing & Footwear
Erbil
$84
Koysinjaq
$83 0.8% $0.6
Sport & Entertainment
Erbil
$76
Koysinjaq
$52 31.6% $24
Getting Around
Erbil
$51
Koysinjaq
$11 * 78.7% $40

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $426 in Erbil versus $224 in Koysinjaq. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $37 in Erbil versus $37 in Koysinjaq. Groceries tell a different story – $174 in Erbil vs $173 in Koysinjaq – so Koysinjaq wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇮🇶 Erbil
🇮🇶 Koysinjaq
🕒 Local time
16:51 4:51 PM
16:51 4:51 PM
Same time as Erbil
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,713,461
44,987
💱 Currency
Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د
Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IQD – Iraqi Dinar Converter

Iraqi Dinar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 1,511 IQD (10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD). 1 EUR = 1,686 IQD (10,000 IQD = 5.93 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Erbil Koysinjaq 57 km
From you
  • Erbil
  • Koysinjaq

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
Erbil vs Koysinjaq: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koysinjaq cheaper than Erbil?
Yes – Erbil is pricier by about 27%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,437 per month in Erbil and $1,127 in Koysinjaq. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Koysinjaq, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $224 there versus $426 in Erbil.
What are total monthly expenses in Erbil and in Koysinjaq?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $958 in Erbil and $751 in Koysinjaq. That makes Koysinjaq about 22% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $294 per month in Erbil and $294 in Koysinjaq. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is it better to live in Erbil or in Koysinjaq?
It depends on your priorities. Erbil has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $751 in Koysinjaq to $958 in Erbil. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Erbil vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

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