🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $473 in Mashhad versus $496 in Bushehr.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $800 in Mashhad versus $771 in Bushehr.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,127 in Mashhad versus $1,046 in Bushehr.
🙂Living in Mashhad costs roughly 5% less than in Bushehr, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mashhad65% lower, Bushehr63% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.07$3.07
$6.06$6.06
-49.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.80$19.80
$13.75$13.75
44.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.91$4.91
$3.40$3.40
44.41%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.52$0.52
$0.67$0.67
-22.39%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87$0.87
$1.95$1.95
-55.38%
Cappuccino
$1.10$1.10
$0.99$0.99
11.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40$0.40
$0.45$0.45
-11.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45$0.45
$1.21$1.21
-62.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.56$0.56
$0.48$0.48
16.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.27$0.27
$0.29$0.29
-6.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86$1.86
$1.59$1.59
16.98%
Eggs
$1.11$1.11
$0.97$0.97
14.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.21$2.21
$1.51$1.51
46.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.47$2.47
$2.97$2.97
-16.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.16$10.16
$9.77$9.77
3.99%
Apples(1kg)
$0.90$0.90
$0.62$0.62
45.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.20$1.20
$1.51$1.51
-20.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.86$0.86
$0.92$0.92
-6.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.66$0.66
$0.49$0.49
34.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.45$0.45
$0.49$0.49
-8.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48$0.48
$0.29$0.29
65.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48$0.48
$0.69$0.69
-30.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30$0.30
$0.26$0.26
15.38%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.92$0.92
$0.63$0.63
46.03%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80$0.80
$0.31$0.31
158.06%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92$0.92
$1.41$1.41
-34.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.73$2.73
$2.27$2.27
20.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19$0.19
$0.18$0.18
5.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.32$4.32
$9.91$9.91
-56.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.36$0.36
$0.29$0.29
24.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48$0.48
$0.29$0.29
65.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.97$1.97
$1.67$1.67
17.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78$0.78
$0.74$0.74
5.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$60.0K$60.0K
$60.1K$60.1K
-0.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$70.2K$70.2K
$48.3K$48.3K
45.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$13.53$13.53
$20.21$20.21
-33.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.30$2.30
$2.02$2.02
13.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.50$15.50
$5.79$5.79
167.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.56$18.56
$15.76$15.76
17.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.07$15.07
$12.67$12.67
18.94%
Cinema Ticket
$1.98$1.98
$1.97$1.97
0.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.75$45.75
$50.2$50.2
-8.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$631$631
$593$593
6.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.37$22.37
$23.93$23.93
-6.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.70$37.70
$20.94$20.94
80.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.2$93.2
$73.1$73.1
27.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8$85.8
$41.99$41.99
104.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$218$218
$289$289
-24.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$145$145
$199$199
-27.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$454$454
$322$322
40.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$320$320
$317$317
1.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,167$1,167
$1,060$1,060
10.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$690$690
$621$621
11.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mashhad
Bushehr
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$251$251
$275$275
-8.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.5
20.95
-2.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mashhad: April 26, 2026
Last update for Bushehr: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $218 in Mashhad and $289 in Bushehr. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bushehr pays 10% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $20.00 in Mashhad vs $14.00 in Bushehr for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $96.0 vs $93.0 per month, with Bushehr cheaper across the board.
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 Bushehr: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mashhad or Bushehr?
Mashhad wins on cost – living expenses run 5% lower than in Bushehr. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mashhad the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Mashhad or Bushehr?
On paper, Bushehr earns 10% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Mashhad vs Bushehr?
Rent for a central apartment: $218 in Mashhad versus $289 in Bushehr. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Mashhad vs Bushehr?
A monthly transit pass in Mashhad runs roughly 129% less than in Bushehr. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Mashhad and Bushehr?
Childcare runs $45.75 in Mashhad versus $50.2 in Bushehr. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $800/month in Mashhad or Bushehr?
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.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Mashhad or Bushehr?
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.
How safe is Mashhad compared to Bushehr?
Safety-wise, Mashhad and Bushehr 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Mashhad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Bushehr. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.