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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $561 per month in Iraq vs $2,217 in Canada, rent included.

A couple spends around $864 per month in Iraq vs $3,254 in Canada, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,166 per month in Iraq vs $4,291 in Canada, rent included.

The cost of living in Iraq is roughly 75% lower than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Iraq sits 59% below the global median, while Canada is 61% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.51 IQD 5,902
$18.28 CA$25.35
-75.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.77 IQD 29.8K
$71.2 CA$98.8
-68.03%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.44 IQD 9,743
$10.96 CA$15.20
-32.12%
Cappuccino
$2.75 IQD 3,597
$3.95 CA$5.47
-30.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 IQD 551
$2.07 CA$2.88
-79.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 IQD 315
$1.74 CA$2.42
-86.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.84 IQD 5,028
$5.93 CA$8.23
-35.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86 IQD 5,060
$5.69 CA$7.89
-32.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.14 IQD 1,497
$2.23 CA$3.09
-48.88%
White Bread (500g)
$0.85 IQD 1,112
$2.71 CA$3.76
-68.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.52 IQD 1,987
$3.72 CA$5.16
-59.14%
Eggs
$1.73 IQD 2,271
$3.61 CA$5.01
-52.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.85 IQD 6,352
$10.81 CA$14.99
-55.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.26 IQD 5,573
$12.22 CA$16.95
-65.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.93 IQD 16.9K
$15.68 CA$21.75
-17.54%
Apples (1kg)
$1.05 IQD 1,373
$4.25 CA$5.89
-75.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 IQD 1,480
$1.43 CA$1.98
-20.98%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.96 IQD 1,263
$4.02 CA$5.57
-76.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.67 IQD 871
$4.09 CA$5.67
-83.62%
Potato (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 886
$2.68 CA$3.72
-74.63%
Onion (1kg)
$0.61 IQD 792
$2.45 CA$3.40
-75.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 IQD 880
$2.67 CA$3.70
-74.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 IQD 666
$1.80 CA$2.50
-71.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.87 IQD 2,450
$14.46 CA$20.05
-87.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.95 IQD 15.7K
$13.58 CA$18.84
-12.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 IQD 2,594
$2.84 CA$3.94
-30.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 IQD 2,769
$3.26 CA$4.52
-35.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Iraq
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 IQD 511
$2.46 CA$3.41
-84.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.00 IQD 34.0K
$75.2 CA$104
-65.40%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.26 IQD 2,955
$3.15 CA$4.37
-28.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 IQD 2,175
$1.54 CA$2.14
7.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.97 IQD 7,817
$27.55 CA$38.21
-78.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.66 IQD 860
$1.16 CA$1.61
-43.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.9K IQD 22.2M
$28.4K CA$39.3K
-40.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.1K IQD 25.0M
$19.5K CA$27.0K
-1.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$113 IQD 148.2K
$155 CA$215
-26.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.84 IQD 20.7K
$43.47 CA$60.3
-63.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.79 IQD 44.2K
$60.4 CA$83.8
-44.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.74 IQD 46.8K
$41.15 CA$57.1
-13.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.36 IQD 24.0K
$19.79 CA$27.45
-7.23%
Cinema Ticket
$7.78 IQD 10.2K
$11.53 CA$15.98
-32.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$171 IQD 224.2K
$786 CA$1,089
-78.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,756 IQD 3.6M
$14.8K CA$20.6K
-81.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.41 IQD 28.0K
$55.0 CA$76.3
-61.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.13 IQD 35.5K
$41.25 CA$57.2
-34.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.7 IQD 78.1K
$88.1 CA$122
-32.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$44.36 IQD 58.1K
$106 CA$147
-58.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iraq
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$308 IQD 403.0K
$1,295 CA$1,797
-76.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$210 IQD 275.6K
$1,168 CA$1,619
-81.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$551 IQD 722.0K
$2,044 CA$2,835
-73.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$400 IQD 524.4K
$1,779 CA$2,467
-77.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,557 IQD 2.0M
$4,786 CA$6,638
-67.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$789 IQD 1.0M
$3,973 CA$5,510
-80.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$582 IQD 762.0K
$3,078 CA$4,270
-81.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.32
4.86
30.04%

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

Last update for Iraq: September 5, 2026

Last update for Canada: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $133 in Iraq vs $1,228 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $566 in Baghdad and $1,496 in Ottawa.

Average salary: $551 in Iraq vs $2,981 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 823% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 230% more in Canada.

Public transport is 445% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 441% 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
Iraq vs Canada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canada more expensive than Iraq?
Iraq is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 317% 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 317% 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.

Iraq vs other spots: cost of living compared

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