Cost of Living Comparison Between Qazvin and Tehran Cost of Living Comparison Between Qazvin and Tehran

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $585 in Qazvin versus $696 in Tehran.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $893 in Qazvin versus $1,131 in Tehran.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,202 in Qazvin versus $1,565 in Tehran.

Living in Qazvin costs roughly 16% less than in Tehran, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Qazvin 56% lower, Tehran 48% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.07 $4.07
$3.97 $3.97
2.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.28 $18.28
$18.24 $18.24
0.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.40 $3.40
$5.12 $5.12
-33.59%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.66 $0.66
$0.68 $0.68
-2.94%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.01 $1.01
3.96%
Cappuccino
$1.30 $1.30
$1.27 $1.27
2.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 $0.45
$0.43 $0.43
4.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.04 $1.04
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.63 $0.63
$0.59 $0.59
6.78%
White Bread (500g)
$0.43 $0.43
$0.53 $0.53
-18.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 $1.85
$1.84 $1.84
0.54%
Eggs
$0.93 $0.93
$1.16 $1.16
-19.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.51 $2.51
$3.42 $3.42
-26.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.16 $2.16
$3.22 $3.22
-32.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 $10.90
$10.78 $10.78
1.11%
Apples (1kg)
$0.69 $0.69
$0.91 $0.91
-24.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 $1.47
$1.42 $1.42
3.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.77 $0.77
$0.82 $0.82
-6.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.61 $0.61
$0.68 $0.68
-10.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.54 $0.54
$0.52 $0.52
3.85%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 $0.55
$0.50 $0.50
10.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.63 $0.63
$0.63 $0.63
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 $0.23
$0.25 $0.25
-8.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.03 $1.03
$1.01 $1.01
1.98%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 $0.56
$0.59 $0.59
-5.08%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.56 $1.56
4.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.56 $2.56
-33.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.19 $0.19
$0.24 $0.24
-20.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.93 $9.93
$10.03 $10.03
-1.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.18 $0.18
$0.52 $0.52
-65.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 $0.27
$0.31 $0.31
-12.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.93 $2.93
-31.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.74 $0.74
$0.74 $0.74
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.8K $41.8K
$81.1K $81.1K
-48.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$54.3K $54.3K
$54.9K $54.9K
-1.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$16.00 $16.00
$15.63 $15.63
2.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.25 $2.25
$2.27 $2.27
-0.88%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.82 $5.82
$5.77 $5.77
0.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.34 $12.34
$22.90 $22.90
-46.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.13 $10.13
$12.01 $12.01
-15.65%
Cinema Ticket
$0.99 $0.99
$1.52 $1.52
-34.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$29.82 $29.82
$126 $126
-76.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$746 $746
$1,965 $1,965
-62.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.48 $29.48
$30.96 $30.96
-4.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.36 $27.36
$34.64 $34.64
-21.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100.0 $100.0
$123 $123
-18.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.05 $49.05
$71.3 $71.3
-31.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$401 $401
$491 $491
-18.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$281 $281
$335 $335
-16.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$601 $601
$1,022 $1,022
-41.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$444 $444
$707 $707
-37.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$898 $898
$1,412 $1,412
-36.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$608 $608
$839 $839
-27.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Qazvin
Tehran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$321 $321
$212 $212
51.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20
25.07
-20.22%

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

Last update for Qazvin: April 27, 2026

Last update for Tehran: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $401 in Qazvin and $491 in Tehran. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Qazvin pays 51% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $18.00 in Qazvin vs $18.00 in Tehran for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $99.0 vs $110 per month, with Qazvin 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
Qazvin vs Tehran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Qazvin and Tehran?
Qazvin and Tehran differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($585 vs $696 including rent). Qazvin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Qazvin or Tehran?
Qazvin pays 51% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Qazvin and Tehran?
Rent for a central apartment: $401 in Qazvin versus $491 in Tehran. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Tehran. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Qazvin – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $18.00 in Tehran. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $1,200 go in Qazvin vs Tehran?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Qazvin gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Qazvin and Tehran?
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.
Is Qazvin or Tehran safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Qazvin and Tehran are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Qazvin or Tehran?
Expats usually find Qazvin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Tehran. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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