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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $760 per month in Iraq vs $2,320 in Canada, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,167 per month in Iraq vs $3,376 in Canada, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,574 per month in Iraq vs $4,432 in Canada, rent included.

The cost of living in Iraq is roughly 67% lower than in Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Iraq sits 43% below the global median, while Canada is 74% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in Canada ($1,313$3,141) than in Iraq ($521$1,055), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.70 IQD 6,157
$18.11 CA$25.43
-74.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.21 IQD 30.4K
$73.9 CA$104
-68.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.49 IQD 8,494
$11.22 CA$15.75
-42.16%
Cappuccino
$2.25 IQD 2,950
$3.78 CA$5.31
-40.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 IQD 506
$2.16 CA$3.03
-81.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22 IQD 282
$1.76 CA$2.47
-87.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.26 IQD 2,956
$5.87 CA$8.24
-61.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62 IQD 3,431
$5.90 CA$8.28
-55.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 IQD 1,675
$2.20 CA$3.09
-41.82%
White Bread (500g)
$0.82 IQD 1,072
$2.79 CA$3.92
-70.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.56 IQD 2,045
$3.64 CA$5.10
-57.14%
Eggs
$1.73 IQD 2,268
$3.52 CA$4.94
-50.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.89 IQD 6,402
$11.44 CA$16.05
-57.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.15 IQD 5,429
$12.51 CA$17.56
-66.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.49 IQD 16.4K
$15.01 CA$21.07
-16.79%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 IQD 1,345
$4.21 CA$5.92
-75.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 IQD 1,541
$1.43 CA$2.01
-17.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.01 IQD 1,322
$3.94 CA$5.53
-74.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 896
$4.14 CA$5.82
-83.57%
Potato (1kg)
$0.66 IQD 858
$2.77 CA$3.88
-76.17%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 IQD 853
$2.77 CA$3.89
-76.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.62 IQD 810
$2.55 CA$3.58
-75.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 IQD 721
$1.86 CA$2.61
-70.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.93 IQD 2,531
$14.58 CA$20.47
-86.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.15 IQD 15.9K
$13.23 CA$18.57
-8.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 IQD 2,328
$2.94 CA$4.12
-39.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 IQD 2,890
$3.27 CA$4.59
-32.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Iraq
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 IQD 477
$2.61 CA$3.66
-86.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.91 IQD 43.1K
$78.3 CA$110
-57.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.23 IQD 2,923
$3.51 CA$4.93
-36.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 IQD 2,244
$1.55 CA$2.17
10.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.99 IQD 7,841
$28.70 CA$40.29
-79.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.59 IQD 774
$1.20 CA$1.68
-50.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K IQD 23.8M
$24.6K CA$34.6K
-26.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1K IQD 26.4M
$20.6K CA$28.8K
-1.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$98.1 IQD 128.4K
$155 CA$218
-36.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.26 IQD 25.2K
$46.34 CA$65.0
-58.44%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.85 IQD 41.7K
$63.5 CA$89.2
-49.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.85 IQD 45.6K
$42.90 CA$60.2
-18.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.57 IQD 19.1K
$17.87 CA$25.08
-18.47%
Cinema Ticket
$7.75 IQD 10.2K
$11.50 CA$16.14
-32.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$133 IQD 174.4K
$815 CA$1,144
-83.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,672 IQD 3.5M
$12.0K CA$16.9K
-77.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.72 IQD 29.8K
$55.7 CA$78.1
-59.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.90 IQD 33.9K
$42.56 CA$59.7
-39.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$56.9 IQD 74.5K
$88.2 CA$124
-35.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.49 IQD 51.7K
$108 CA$151
-63.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iraq
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$303 IQD 397.0K
$1,332 CA$1,869
-77.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$198 IQD 259.8K
$1,177 CA$1,652
-83.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$549 IQD 718.8K
$2,194 CA$3,079
-74.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$378 IQD 494.8K
$1,888 CA$2,650
-79.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,559 IQD 2.0M
$4,592 CA$6,446
-66.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$789 IQD 1.0M
$3,805 CA$5,340
-79.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$562 IQD 736.3K
$2,913 CA$4,088
-80.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.23
6.33
30.02%

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

Last update for Iraq: July 25, 2026

Last update for Canada: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $254 in Iraq vs $1,283 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $554 in Baghdad and $1,468 in Ottawa.

Average salary: $562 in Iraq vs $2,911 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 405% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 183% more in Canada.

Public transport is 103% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 418% 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 183% 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 183% 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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