Cost of Living Comparison Between Mashhad and Shiraz Cost of Living Comparison Between Mashhad and Shiraz

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $454 per month in Mashhad vs $549 in Shiraz, rent included.

A couple spends around $784 per month in Mashhad vs $870 in Shiraz, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,115 per month in Mashhad vs $1,191 in Shiraz, rent included.

Mashhad is about 17% cheaper than Shiraz, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Mashhad and Shiraz are more affordable than the global median – Mashhad 66% lower, Shiraz 59% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.98 $2.98
$5.82 $5.82
-48.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.35 $20.35
$13.94 $13.94
45.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.04 $5.04
$3.54 $3.54
42.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.49 $0.49
$0.73 $0.73
-32.88%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.94 $1.94
-52.58%
Cappuccino
$1.10 $1.10
$0.97 $0.97
13.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 $0.40
$1.52 $1.52
-73.68%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 $0.44
$1.20 $1.20
-63.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.53 $0.53
$0.68 $0.68
-22.06%
White Bread (500g)
$0.27 $0.27
$0.51 $0.51
-47.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.89 $1.89
$1.57 $1.57
20.38%
Eggs
$1.13 $1.13
$1.15 $1.15
-1.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.13 $2.13
$2.96 $2.96
-28.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.49 $2.49
$3.74 $3.74
-33.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.21 $10.21
$10.00 $10.00
2.10%
Apples (1kg)
$0.85 $0.85
$0.87 $0.87
-2.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.70 $1.70
-28.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.85 $0.85
$0.98 $0.98
-13.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.60 $0.60
$0.56 $0.56
7.14%
Potato (1kg)
$0.47 $0.47
$0.48 $0.48
-2.08%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 $0.49
$0.48 $0.48
2.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.52 $0.52
$0.69 $0.69
-24.64%
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
$1.03 $1.03
-14.56%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74 $0.74
$0.66 $0.66
12.12%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90 $0.90
$1.42 $1.42
-36.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.71 $2.71
$2.33 $2.33
16.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.22 $0.22
$0.19 $0.19
15.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.29 $2.29
89.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.33 $0.33
$0.29 $0.29
13.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 $0.52
$0.20 $0.20
160.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$1.72 $1.72
17.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.74 $0.74
12.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$59.9K $59.9K
$73.8K $73.8K
-18.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$70.3K $70.3K
$78.8K $78.8K
-10.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$13.51 $13.51
$36.51 $36.51
-63.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.03 $2.03
15.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.68 $5.68
$19.07 $19.07
-70.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.79 $18.79
$15.87 $15.87
18.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.12 $15.12
$15.46 $15.46
-2.20%
Cinema Ticket
$2.04 $2.04
$2.05 $2.05
-0.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$46.74 $46.74
$156 $156
-69.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$626 $626
$2,139 $2,139
-70.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.36 $22.36
$24.06 $24.06
-7.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.55 $37.55
$20.75 $20.75
80.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.4 $94.4
$73.5 $73.5
28.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.9 $86.9
$40.75 $40.75
113.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$212 $212
$285 $285
-25.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$147 $147
$202 $202
-27.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$452 $452
$475 $475
-4.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$322 $322
$398 $398
-18.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,158 $1,158
$1,129 $1,129
2.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$677 $677
$536 $536
26.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mashhad
Shiraz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$257 $257
$231 $231
11.06%
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: July 28, 2026

Last update for Shiraz: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $212 in Mashhad versus $285 in Shiraz. 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 11% higher in Mashhad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Mashhad versus $14.00 in Shiraz. Groceries tell a different story – $96.0 in Mashhad vs $110 in Shiraz – so Mashhad wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Shiraz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mashhad or Shiraz?
Shiraz costs about 21% more than Mashhad, 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 and in Shiraz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $681 per month in Mashhad and $823 in Shiraz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mashhad or Shiraz?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mashhad, 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 Shiraz?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $454 in Mashhad and $549 in Shiraz. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Mashhad compared to Shiraz?
Public transport costs about 89% less in Mashhad. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Mashhad or in Shiraz?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $454 in Mashhad and $549 in Shiraz, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Mashhad – 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 Shiraz?
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 to Shiraz?
If budget matters most, go with Mashhad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Shiraz makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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