Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and Iraq

Name: Iraq
Address: IQ

For one person, living is cheaper in Pakistan: $483 a month against $720 in Iraq, rent and utilities included – about $2,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

23

Cost of Living Index in Pakistan
Learn more

Pakistan Living Index
35

Cost of Living Index in Iraq
Learn more

Iraq Living Index

Jump to prices

🇵🇰 Pakistan

$483

/mo nomad

🇮🇶 Iraq

$720

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Pakistan and in Iraq

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pakistan and in Iraq actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $483 in Pakistan versus $720 in Iraq.

Pakistan $483
Iraq $720

Estimated couple costs with rent: $736 in Pakistan versus $1,090 in Iraq.

Pakistan $736
Iraq $1,090

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $988 in Pakistan versus $1,460 in Iraq.

Pakistan $988
Iraq $1,460

Internal cost variation is higher in Iraq: monthly costs span $500 to $1,048, compared to $291–$607 in Pakistan. City choice carries more weight in Iraq.

Living in Pakistan costs about 33% less than in Iraq on average.

Both countries sit below the global median: Pakistan 65% lower, Iraq 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 PKR 582

$3.87 IQD 5,843

-45.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.97 PKR 3,863

$19.69 IQD 29.7K

-29.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.50 PKR 1,522

$6.54 IQD 9,879

-15.90%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 PKR 615

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.31 PKR 1,192

Cappuccino

$1.97 PKR 545

$2.43 IQD 3,673

-18.93%

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

$0.38 PKR 105

$0.41 IQD 614

-7.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.23 PKR 63.6

$0.17 IQD 262

35.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 IQD 5,119

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 IQD 4,923

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 PKR 239

$1.01 IQD 1,520

-13.86%

White Bread (500g)

$0.60 PKR 165

$0.69 IQD 1,048

-13.04%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 PKR 334

$1.38 IQD 2,083

-12.32%

Eggs

$1.21 PKR 333

$1.56 IQD 2,357

-22.44%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.42 PKR 1,499

$4.06 IQD 6,133

33.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.83 PKR 782

$3.70 IQD 5,593

-23.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.06 PKR 1,399

$11.26 IQD 17.0K

-55.06%

Apples (1kg)

$1.20 PKR 331

$0.92 IQD 1,396

30.43%

Banana (1kg)

$0.64 PKR 176

$1.00 IQD 1,507

-36.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.87 PKR 241

$0.89 IQD 1,343

-2.25%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.54 PKR 148

$0.60 IQD 913

-10.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.33 PKR 91.7

$0.58 IQD 879

-43.10%

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 PKR 108

$0.57 IQD 862

-31.58%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.37 PKR 104

$0.53 IQD 801

-30.19%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.41 PKR 113

$0.44 IQD 670

-6.82%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.08 PKR 574

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 PKR 296

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 PKR 652

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.14 PKR 593

$1.69 IQD 2,555

26.63%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.22 IQD 15.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.65 IQD 2,498

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 IQD 2,755

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.20 PKR 55.0

$0.34 IQD 514

-41.18%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.01 PKR 2,766

$19.96 IQD 30.1K

-49.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 PKR 243

$2.03 IQD 3,067

-56.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 PKR 155

$1.47 IQD 2,219

-61.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 PKR 613

$5.20 IQD 7,858

-57.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 PKR 357

$0.56 IQD 852

130.36%

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

$17.8K PKR 4.9M

$16.7K IQD 25.3M

6.19%

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

$24.3K PKR 6.7M

$16.6K IQD 25.1M

46.27%

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

$110 PKR 30.5K

$96.4 IQD 145.6K

14.40%

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

$5.41 PKR 1,494

$13.50 IQD 20.4K

-59.93%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.79 PKR 4,365

$29.17 IQD 44.0K

-45.87%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$18.50 PKR 5,115

$30.82 IQD 46.5K

-39.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.09 PKR 3,065

$16.41 IQD 24.8K

-32.42%

Cinema Ticket

$4.32 PKR 1,194

$6.94 IQD 10.5K

-37.75%

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

$56.4 PKR 15.6K

$158 IQD 238.0K

-64.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,511 PKR 417.9K

$2,605 IQD 3.9M

-41.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.56 PKR 4,855

$19.03 IQD 28.7K

-7.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.58 PKR 6,518

$23.52 IQD 35.5K

0.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.7 PKR 21.2K

$52.2 IQD 78.8K

46.92%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$35.08 PKR 9,698

$38.65 IQD 58.4K

-9.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 PKR 41.5K

$273 IQD 411.7K

-44.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$87.4 PKR 24.2K

$187 IQD 282.3K

-53.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$320 PKR 88.6K

$508 IQD 767.8K

-36.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$190 PKR 52.5K

$358 IQD 540.2K

-46.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$970 PKR 268.3K

$1,491 IQD 2.3M

-34.92%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$520 PKR 143.9K

$685 IQD 1.0M

-24.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$192 PKR 53.1K

$492 IQD 743.4K

-60.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.1

6.32

123.10%

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

Last update for Pakistan: October 25, 2026

Last update for Iraq: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Pakistan

$131 27.2%

Iraq

$139 19.3% 5.8% $7.6

Groceries & Markets

Pakistan

$94 19.5%

Iraq

$153 21.3% 62.9% $59

Accommodation & Living

Pakistan

$87 18.1%

Iraq

$187 26% 114% $100

Clothing & Footwear

Pakistan

$69 14.3%

Iraq

$60 8.3% 12.7% $8.8

Eating Out

Pakistan

$59 12.3%

Iraq

$106 14.7% 77.5% $46

Sport & Entertainment

Pakistan

$27 5.6%

Iraq

$45 6.2% 64.7% $18

Getting Around

Pakistan

$14 3%

Iraq

$31 4.3% 112% $16

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $137 in Pakistan, $225 in Iraq. Capital cities: $261 in Islamabad vs $537 in Baghdad.

National salary averages: $185 in Pakistan, $491 in Iraq. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 64% higher in Iraq.

Dining out costs 69% more in Iraq.

Public transport is 190% more expensive in Iraq.

Salaries are about 2.7 times higher in Iraq, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Iraq.

Good to know

🇵🇰 Pakistan

🇮🇶 Iraq

🕒 Local time

10:12 10:12 AM

08:12 8:12 AM

2 h behind Pakistan

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

223,773,700

38,274,618

💱 Currency

Pakistani Rupee PKR ₨

Iraqi Dinar IQD ع.د

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD

1,000 PKR = 3.25 EUR

10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD

10,000 IQD = 5.95 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

IQD, USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇰 Pakistani Rupee (₨)

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 276 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD). 1 EUR = 308 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.25 EUR).

Iraqi Dinar exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 1,510 IQD (10,000 IQD = 6.62 USD). 1 EUR = 1,681 IQD (10,000 IQD = 5.95 EUR).

USD to PKR in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Pakistan Iraq 2,650 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight

From you

Pakistan
Iraq

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Pakistan vs Iraq: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

At $720 per month in Iraq and $483 in Pakistan, Pakistan comes out about 33% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.

Day-to-day life is cheaper in Pakistan: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.

Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $225 in Iraq and $137 in Pakistan. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.

In Pakistan, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in Iraq it stretches only to regional areas and 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, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.