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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $761 per month in Iraq vs $2,320 in Canada, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,168 per month in Iraq vs $3,377 in Canada, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,575 per month in Iraq vs $4,433 in Canada, rent included.

Iraq is roughly 67% cheaper than Canada on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Iraq sits 43% below the global median, while Canada is 73% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Canada has a wider regional cost range ($1,320$3,077) than Iraq ($535$1,074), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Canada.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.62 IQD 6,049
$18.77 CA$26.26
-75.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.22 IQD 30.4K
$74.2 CA$104
-68.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.17 IQD 8,081
$11.25 CA$15.74
-45.16%
Cappuccino
$2.24 IQD 2,936
$3.86 CA$5.40
-41.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 IQD 549
$2.19 CA$3.07
-80.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17 IQD 227
$1.69 CA$2.37
-89.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.25 IQD 2,951
$5.96 CA$8.33
-62.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 IQD 3,574
$5.91 CA$8.26
-53.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.23 IQD 1,611
$2.29 CA$3.20
-46.29%
White Bread (500g)
$0.82 IQD 1,073
$2.76 CA$3.86
-70.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.58 IQD 2,065
$3.60 CA$5.04
-56.11%
Eggs
$1.79 IQD 2,346
$3.50 CA$4.89
-48.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.98 IQD 6,517
$11.47 CA$16.04
-56.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.11 IQD 5,376
$12.38 CA$17.33
-66.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.42 IQD 16.3K
$14.97 CA$20.94
-17.03%
Apples (1kg)
$1.04 IQD 1,356
$4.22 CA$5.91
-75.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.13 IQD 1,475
$1.51 CA$2.11
-25.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.05 IQD 1,373
$3.90 CA$5.46
-73.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 895
$4.11 CA$5.74
-83.45%
Potato (1kg)
$0.62 IQD 807
$2.79 CA$3.90
-77.78%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 IQD 852
$2.62 CA$3.67
-75.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 IQD 865
$2.66 CA$3.72
-75.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 IQD 672
$1.82 CA$2.54
-71.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.00 IQD 2,624
$14.71 CA$20.58
-86.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.92 IQD 15.6K
$12.87 CA$18.01
-7.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 IQD 2,435
$3.02 CA$4.22
-38.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 IQD 2,834
$3.39 CA$4.74
-36.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Iraq
Canada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.40 IQD 521
$2.59 CA$3.63
-84.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.71 IQD 42.8K
$78.1 CA$109
-58.14%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.35 IQD 3,073
$3.56 CA$4.98
-33.99%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.74 IQD 2,273
$1.47 CA$2.06
18.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.10 IQD 7,990
$29.11 CA$40.72
-79.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.60 IQD 781
$1.17 CA$1.64
-48.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K IQD 24.0M
$24.6K CA$34.4K
-25.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9K IQD 26.0M
$20.5K CA$28.7K
-3.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$98.4 IQD 128.9K
$154 CA$215
-36.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.08 IQD 25.0K
$46.20 CA$64.6
-58.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.47 IQD 42.5K
$63.1 CA$88.2
-48.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.81 IQD 45.6K
$42.87 CA$60.0
-18.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.82 IQD 19.4K
$17.61 CA$24.64
-15.84%
Cinema Ticket
$7.77 IQD 10.2K
$11.46 CA$16.03
-32.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$134 IQD 174.8K
$813 CA$1,138
-83.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,580 IQD 3.4M
$12.2K CA$17.1K
-78.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.33 IQD 29.2K
$56.3 CA$78.7
-60.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.27 IQD 34.4K
$41.36 CA$57.9
-36.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$57.6 IQD 75.4K
$89.0 CA$125
-35.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.99 IQD 52.4K
$106 CA$149
-62.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iraq
Canada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$300 IQD 392.7K
$1,380 CA$1,930
-78.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$198 IQD 258.8K
$1,182 CA$1,654
-83.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$547 IQD 716.9K
$2,125 CA$2,973
-74.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$376 IQD 493.0K
$1,889 CA$2,642
-80.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,635 IQD 2.1M
$4,826 CA$6,751
-66.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$779 IQD 1.0M
$3,896 CA$5,450
-80.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iraq
Canada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$576 IQD 754.6K
$2,947 CA$4,122
-80.45%
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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Canada: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $255 in Iraq vs $1,279 in Canada. For reference, capital cities sit at $553 in Baghdad and $1,500 in Ottawa.

Average salary: $557 in Iraq vs $2,945 in Canada. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 402% higher in Canada.

Dining out costs 183% more in Canada.

Public transport is 97% more expensive in Canada.

Salaries are 429% higher in Canada, giving Canada stronger purchasing power.

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 173% 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 173% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Canada or 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 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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