Cost of Living Comparison Between Shiraz and Ardabil Cost of Living Comparison Between Shiraz and Ardabil

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $554 in Shiraz versus $594 in Ardabil.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $882 in Shiraz versus $937 in Ardabil.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,211 in Shiraz versus $1,279 in Ardabil.

Living in Shiraz costs roughly 7% less than in Ardabil, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Shiraz 59% lower, Ardabil 56% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.99 $5.99

$5.44 $5.44

10.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.05 $14.05

$17.15 $17.15

-18.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.42 $3.42

$5.79 $5.79

-40.93%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.68 $0.68

$1.46 $1.46

-53.42%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.05 $1.05

93.33%

Cappuccino

$1.01 $1.01

$1.50 $1.50

-32.67%

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

$1.47 $1.47

$0.45 $0.45

226.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.52 $0.52

125.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.64 $0.64

$0.74 $0.74

-13.51%

White Bread (500g)

$0.50 $0.50

$0.58 $0.58

-13.79%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.59 $1.59

$3.04 $3.04

-47.70%

Eggs

$1.19 $1.19

$1.14 $1.14

4.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$6.01 $6.01

-51.58%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.34 $3.34

11.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.97 $9.97

$10.07 $10.07

-0.99%

Apples (1kg)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.80 $1.80

-51.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.58 $1.58

8.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.01 $1.01

$1.85 $1.85

-45.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 $0.56

$1.05 $1.05

-46.67%

Potato (1kg)

$0.52 $0.52

$1.03 $1.03

-49.51%

Onion (1kg)

$0.46 $0.46

$0.76 $0.76

-39.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 $0.76

$1.18 $1.18

-35.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.26 $0.26

$0.23 $0.23

13.04%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.59 $0.59

72.88%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.64 $0.64

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 $1.43

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.26 $1.26

87.30%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.22 $0.22

$0.18 $0.18

22.22%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$2.39 $2.39

$10.02 $10.02

-76.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.29 $0.29

$0.33 $0.33

-12.12%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.17 $0.17

$0.29 $0.29

-41.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.01 $2.01

-12.44%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.73 $0.73

$0.78 $0.78

-6.41%

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

$74.4K $74.4K

$72.1K $72.1K

3.14%

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

$80.0K $80.0K

$55.2K $55.2K

44.85%

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

$36.57 $36.57

$15.66 $15.66

133.52%

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

$1.94 $1.94

$2.07 $2.07

-6.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$19.23 $19.23

$5.91 $5.91

225.38%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.90 $15.90

$23.13 $23.13

-31.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.82 $15.82

$12.45 $12.45

27.07%

Cinema Ticket

$2.02 $2.02

$1.46 $1.46

38.36%

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

$156 $156

$117 $117

32.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,156 $2,156

$1,949 $1,949

10.63%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$24.32 $24.32

$38.99 $38.99

-37.63%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$20.47 $20.47

$22.44 $22.44

-8.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$73.2 $73.2

$111 $111

-33.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$41.72 $41.72

$70.3 $70.3

-40.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$287 $287

$335 $335

-14.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$205 $205

$200 $200

2.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$471 $471

$683 $683

-31.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$400 $400

$319 $319

25.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,072 $1,072

$1,075 $1,075

-0.30%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$534 $534

$664 $664

-19.52%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$203 $203

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

22.24

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

Last update for Shiraz: June 1, 2026

Last update for Ardabil: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $287 in Shiraz and $335 in Ardabil. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $14.00 in Shiraz vs $17.00 in Ardabil for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $110 vs $138 per month, with Shiraz 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

Shiraz vs Ardabil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Shiraz is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

You'd need roughly $831 in Shiraz and $891 in Ardabil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $287 in Shiraz versus $335 in Ardabil. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

A monthly transit pass in Shiraz runs roughly 319% less than in Ardabil. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Childcare runs $156 in Shiraz versus $117 in Ardabil. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Shiraz gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Shiraz and Ardabil are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Shiraz gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Ardabil. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.