Cost of Living Comparison Between Iraq and Pakistan Cost of Living Comparison Between Iraq and Pakistan

Name: Pakistan
Address: PK

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $762 in Iraq versus $391 in Pakistan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,166 in Iraq versus $593 in Pakistan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,570 in Iraq versus $794 in Pakistan.

Living in Iraq is roughly 95% more expensive than Pakistan on average.

Both countries sit below the global median: Iraq 43% lower, Pakistan 71% lower.

Internal cost variation is higher in Iraq: monthly costs span $535 to $1,074, compared to $292–$543 in Pakistan. City choice carries more weight in Iraq.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.67 IQD 6,114

$1.72 PKR 480

171.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$22.62 IQD 29.6K

$12.23 PKR 3,414

84.96%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.22 IQD 8,146

$4.15 PKR 1,157

49.88%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.80 PKR 503

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 PKR 1,125

Cappuccino

$2.34 IQD 3,059

$1.73 PKR 482

35.26%

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

$0.39 IQD 505

$0.33 PKR 92.9

18.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 IQD 247

$0.21 PKR 58.5

-9.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 IQD 2,904

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.62 IQD 3,430

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 IQD 1,614

$0.81 PKR 226

51.85%

White Bread (500g)

$0.82 IQD 1,073

$0.55 PKR 153

49.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 IQD 2,024

$1.20 PKR 336

29.17%

Eggs

$1.80 IQD 2,360

$1.21 PKR 337

48.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.15 IQD 6,741

$5.94 PKR 1,657

-13.30%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.13 IQD 5,415

$2.95 PKR 824

40.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.18 IQD 16.0K

$4.22 PKR 1,179

188.63%

Apples (1kg)

$1.06 IQD 1,391

$1.05 PKR 294

0.95%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 IQD 1,527

$0.62 PKR 173

88.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.00 IQD 1,306

$0.81 PKR 227

23.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.69 IQD 909

$0.52 PKR 145

32.69%

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 IQD 803

$0.36 PKR 100

69.44%

Onion (1kg)

$0.65 IQD 855

$0.48 PKR 135

35.42%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 IQD 850

$0.39 PKR 108

66.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 IQD 722

$0.39 PKR 108

41.03%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.98 PKR 554

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 PKR 309

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 PKR 579

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.91 IQD 2,501

$1.97 PKR 551

-3.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.06 IQD 15.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 IQD 2,324

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 IQD 2,961

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.39 IQD 512

$0.16 PKR 44.55

143.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$33.19 IQD 43.5K

$7.00 PKR 1,953

374.14%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.31 IQD 3,026

$0.90 PKR 250

156.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.75 IQD 2,292

$0.51 PKR 143

243.14%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.16 IQD 8,063

$1.74 PKR 485

254.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 IQD 774

$0.90 PKR 252

-34.44%

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

$18.3K IQD 24.0M

$17.9K PKR 5.0M

2.31%

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

$20.1K IQD 26.4M

$23.8K PKR 6.6M

-15.35%

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

$99.9 IQD 130.8K

$111 PKR 30.9K

-9.76%

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

$19.71 IQD 25.8K

$4.75 PKR 1,325

314.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$32.89 IQD 43.1K

$15.51 PKR 4,328

112.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.48 IQD 45.2K

$13.30 PKR 3,713

159.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.75 IQD 19.3K

$8.50 PKR 2,372

73.53%

Cinema Ticket

$7.48 IQD 9,802

$4.22 PKR 1,178

77.25%

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

$134 IQD 175.3K

$39.14 PKR 10.9K

241.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,613 IQD 3.4M

$1,145 PKR 319.5K

128.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$22.02 IQD 28.8K

$15.80 PKR 4,409

39.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.23 IQD 34.4K

$23.72 PKR 6,621

10.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.6 IQD 75.4K

$72.3 PKR 20.2K

-20.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.28 IQD 52.8K

$33.09 PKR 9,236

21.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$300 IQD 392.5K

$114 PKR 31.8K

163.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$194 IQD 253.8K

$67.1 PKR 18.7K

188.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$557 IQD 729.3K

$280 PKR 78.2K

98.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$376 IQD 492.5K

$165 PKR 46.0K

128.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,528 IQD 2.0M

$888 PKR 248.0K

72.05%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$757 IQD 991.4K

$530 PKR 148.1K

42.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$563 IQD 737.2K

$188 PKR 52.4K

199.62%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.23

18.97

-56.62%

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

Last update for Iraq: April 26, 2026

Last update for Pakistan: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $254 in Iraq, $78 in Pakistan. Capital cities: $557 in Baghdad vs $200 in Islamabad.

National salary averages: $557 in Iraq, $181 in Pakistan. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 226% higher in Iraq.

Dining out costs 118% more in Iraq.

Public transport is 371% more expensive in Iraq.

Salaries are 208% higher in Iraq, giving Iraq 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 Pakistan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

At $805 per month in Iraq and $418 in Pakistan, there's a 93% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.

Pakistan is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.

Rent in Iraq beats Pakistan across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.

In Pakistan, $1,000 covers most cities easily. In Iraq, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.

It depends on what you're after. Pakistan wins on affordability; Iraq may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.