🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $464 in Mashhad versus $517 in Behbahan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $793 in Mashhad versus $788 in Behbahan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,122 in Mashhad versus $1,059 in Behbahan.
🙂Living in Mashhad costs roughly 10% less than in Behbahan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mashhad65% lower, Behbahan61% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.06$3.06
$6.16$6.16
-50.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.05$20.05
$14.19$14.19
41.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.87$4.87
$3.60$3.60
35.28%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.51$0.51
$0.67$0.67
-23.88%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86$0.86
$1.99$1.99
-56.78%
Cappuccino
$1.11$1.11
$0.98$0.98
13.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43$0.43
$0.42$0.42
2.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44$0.44
$1.21$1.21
-63.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.56$0.56
$0.64$0.64
-12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$0.27$0.27
$0.48$0.48
-43.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88$1.88
$1.54$1.54
22.08%
Eggs
$1.10$1.10
$1.13$1.13
-2.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.21$2.21
$2.18$2.18
1.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.39$2.39
$2.18$2.18
9.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.33$10.33
$10.05$10.05
2.79%
Apples(1kg)
$0.92$0.92
$0.93$0.93
-1.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27$1.27
$1.76$1.76
-27.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.87$0.87
$0.93$0.93
-6.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.62$0.62
$0.51$0.51
21.57%
Potato(1kg)
$0.44$0.44
$0.48$0.48
-8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49$0.49
$0.46$0.46
6.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.49$0.49
$0.74$0.74
-33.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32$0.32
$0.26$0.26
23.08%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.88$0.88
$1.02$1.02
-13.73%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74$0.74
$0.64$0.64
15.62%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98$0.98
$1.44$1.44
-31.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64$2.64
$2.37$2.37
11.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19$0.19
$0.18$0.18
5.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.37$4.37
$10.12$10.12
-56.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.34$0.34
$0.29$0.29
17.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48$0.48
$0.27$0.27
77.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.05$2.05
$1.67$1.67
22.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.73$0.73
15.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$61.0K$61.0K
$74.9K$74.9K
-18.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$71.7K$71.7K
$80.9K$80.9K
-11.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$13.65$13.65
$36.74$36.74
-62.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.35$2.35
$2.04$2.04
15.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.66$5.66
$5.60$5.60
1.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.93$18.93
$15.94$15.94
18.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.79$14.79
$12.62$12.62
17.19%
Cinema Ticket
$2.05$2.05
$1.99$1.99
3.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.93$45.93
$150$150
-69.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$630$630
$2,000$2,000
-68.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.47$22.47
$24.14$24.14
-6.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.92$36.92
$20.40$20.40
80.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.0$93.0
$73.3$73.3
26.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.1$85.1
$41.18$41.18
106.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$215$215
$283$283
-24.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$146$146
$201$201
-27.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$467$467
$633$633
-26.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$325$325
$314$314
3.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,141$1,141
$1,123$1,123
1.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$692$692
$592$592
16.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mashhad
Behbahan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$251$251
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.5
22.24
-7.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mashhad: June 1, 2026
Last update for Behbahan: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $215 in Mashhad and $283 in Behbahan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $20.00 in Mashhad vs $14.00 in Behbahan. Groceries flip the comparison at $97.0 vs $99.0, with Mashhad cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Mashhad vs Behbahan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Behbahan cheaper than Mashhad?
Mashhad is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 11% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $697 in Mashhad and $776 in Behbahan to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Mashhad and Behbahan?
Rent for a central apartment: $215 in Mashhad versus $283 in Behbahan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Mashhad vs Behbahan?
All in, you'll spend $464 per month in Mashhad versus $517 in Behbahan – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Mashhad runs roughly 132% less than in Behbahan. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $800 enough for either Mashhad or Behbahan?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mashhad gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Mashhad or Behbahan?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Mashhad or Behbahan?
Safety-wise, Mashhad and Behbahan are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mashhad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Behbahan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.