Cost of Living Comparison Between Mashhad and Qom Cost of Living Comparison Between Mashhad and Qom

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $450 per month in Mashhad vs $430 in Qom, rent included.

A couple spends around $786 per month in Mashhad vs $821 in Qom, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,122 per month in Mashhad vs $1,211 in Qom, rent included.

Mashhad costs about 5% more than Qom, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Mashhad and Qom are more affordable than the global median – Mashhad 67% lower, Qom 68% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.02 $3.02
$3.05 $3.05
-0.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.84 $19.84
$14.17 $14.17
40.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.89 $4.89
$4.67 $4.67
4.71%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.52 $0.52
$0.52 $0.52
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.01 $1.01
-13.86%
Cappuccino
$1.15 $1.15
$0.89 $0.89
29.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 $0.40
$0.43 $0.43
-6.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 $0.48
$0.31 $0.31
54.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.56 $0.56
$0.52 $0.52
7.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.25 $0.25
$0.58 $0.58
-56.90%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$1.29 $1.29
44.96%
Eggs
$1.15 $1.15
$1.02 $1.02
12.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.21 $2.21
$3.01 $3.01
-26.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.48 $2.48
$3.23 $3.23
-23.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.45 $10.45
$7.15 $7.15
46.15%
Apples (1kg)
$0.85 $0.85
$0.73 $0.73
16.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.23 $1.23
$1.24 $1.24
-0.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.90 $0.90
$0.87 $0.87
3.45%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.64 $0.64
$0.39 $0.39
64.10%
Potato (1kg)
$0.48 $0.48
$0.47 $0.47
2.13%
Onion (1kg)
$0.48 $0.48
$0.42 $0.42
14.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.48 $0.48
$0.41 $0.41
17.07%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32 $0.32
$0.25 $0.25
28.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.86 $0.86
$0.61 $0.61
40.98%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 $0.81
$0.46 $0.46
76.09%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.53 $1.53
-39.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65 $2.65
$2.15 $2.15
23.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 $0.18
$0.41 $0.41
-56.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.43 $4.43
$14.63 $14.63
-69.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.34 $0.34
$0.29 $0.29
17.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.49 $0.49
$0.14 $0.14
250.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$1.02 $1.02
98.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$0.74 $0.74
13.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$59.3K $59.3K
$81.3K $81.3K
-27.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$70.0K $70.0K
$55.0K $55.0K
27.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$13.97 $13.97
$15.47 $15.47
-9.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.30 $2.30
$1.22 $1.22
88.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.77 $5.77
$5.80 $5.80
-0.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.68 $18.68
$8.83 $8.83
111.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.15 $15.15
$9.73 $9.73
55.70%
Cinema Ticket
$2.04 $2.04
$0.98 $0.98
108.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$45.17 $45.17
$114 $114
-60.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$615 $615
$1,968 $1,968
-68.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.71 $22.71
$15.19 $15.19
49.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.38 $37.38
$13.22 $13.22
182.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.7 $95.7
$102 $102
-6.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 $85.8
$50.2 $50.2
71.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$213 $213
$242 $242
-11.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$146 $146
$158 $158
-7.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$458 $458
$582 $582
-21.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$325 $325
$569 $569
-42.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,151 $1,151
$899 $899
28.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$676 $676
$598 $598
13.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mashhad
Qom
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$254 $254
$216 $216
17.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.5
20.33
0.84%

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

Last update for Mashhad: June 8, 2026

Last update for Qom: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $213 in Mashhad versus $242 in Qom. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 17% higher in Mashhad, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Mashhad versus $14.00 in Qom. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $97.0 vs $90.0 – making Qom the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Qom: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mashhad or Qom?
Mashhad costs about 5% more than Qom, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mashhad vs Qom?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $675 per month in Mashhad and $645 in Qom. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mashhad or Qom?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Qom, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Mashhad compared to Qom?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $450 in Mashhad and $430 in Qom. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Mashhad vs Qom?
Public transport costs about 230% less in Qom. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Mashhad or Qom?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $450 in Mashhad and $430 in Qom, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Qom – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Mashhad compared to Qom?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Mashhad or Qom?
If budget matters most, go with Qom. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mashhad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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