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