Cost of Living Comparison Between Erbil and Tikrit Cost of Living Comparison Between Erbil and Tikrit

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.69 IQD 10.1K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.38 IQD 58.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.42 IQD 11.0K

Cappuccino

$3.84 IQD 5,027

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 IQD 1,353

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.44 IQD 580

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.05 IQD 7,920

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 IQD 6,166

Milk (1 liter)

$1.27 IQD 1,657

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 IQD 1,083

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.68 IQD 2,197

Eggs

$1.79 IQD 2,345

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.06 IQD 10.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.78 IQD 7,574

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.84 IQD 19.4K

Apples (1kg)

$1.13 IQD 1,483

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 IQD 1,443

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 IQD 1,612

Tomato (1kg)

$0.82 IQD 1,068

Potato (1kg)

$0.70 IQD 911

Onion (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 905

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 IQD 969

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 IQD 723

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.52 IQD 3,294

Wine (Bottle)

$12.54 IQD 16.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 IQD 2,217

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 IQD 2,735

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.59 IQD 772

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.81 IQD 57.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.94 IQD 2,544

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 IQD 2,381

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.56 IQD 8,589

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.67 IQD 882

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.3K IQD 24.0M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.1K IQD 26.3M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$128 IQD 167.0K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.95 IQD 18.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.49 IQD 37.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.0 IQD 86.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.62 IQD 19.1K

Cinema Ticket

$11.67 IQD 15.3K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$309 IQD 405.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,144 IQD 4.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$31.32 IQD 41.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.84 IQD 58.7K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.3 IQD 90.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.4 IQD 88.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$460 IQD 602.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$297 IQD 389.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$740 IQD 969.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$432 IQD 566.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,092 IQD 1.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$665 IQD 870.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$614 IQD 803.9K

$306 IQD 400.9K

100.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.53

-74.70%

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

Last update for Erbil: September 14, 2026

Last update for Tikrit: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 101% higher in Erbil. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Tikrit: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Salaries run about 101% higher in Erbil, which partly offsets the higher living costs. But higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – you need to weigh income and expenses together.

Families tend to lean toward Tikrit – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Tikrit. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Erbil makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.