😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $780 in Sulaymaniyah versus $701 in Al Fallujah.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,178 in Sulaymaniyah versus $1,055 in Al Fallujah.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,576 in Sulaymaniyah versus $1,409 in Al Fallujah.
🌍Living in Sulaymaniyah is roughly 11% more expensive than in Al Fallujah, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sulaymaniyah43% lower, Al Fallujah49% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.50IQD 5,898
$4.88IQD 6,393
-7.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.28IQD 30.5K
$33.78IQD 44.2K
-31.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.07IQD 9,261
$7.85IQD 10.3K
-9.94%
Cappuccino
$2.43IQD 3,183
$3.09IQD 4,051
-21.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45IQD 593
$0.40IQD 519
12.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21IQD 274
$0.24IQD 312
-12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.70IQD 6,159
$3.71IQD 4,862
26.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33IQD 3,048
$3.71IQD 4,854
-37.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33IQD 1,740
$1.08IQD 1,417
23.15%
White Bread(500g)
$0.98IQD 1,283
$0.84IQD 1,104
16.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91IQD 2,507
$1.56IQD 2,044
22.44%
Eggs
$1.76IQD 2,299
$1.91IQD 2,499
-7.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.95IQD 6,477
$3.94IQD 5,161
25.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.55IQD 4,645
$4.84IQD 6,341
-26.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.75IQD 20.6K
$14.60IQD 19.1K
7.88%
Apples(1kg)
$1.32IQD 1,723
$1.17IQD 1,530
12.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30IQD 1,701
$1.07IQD 1,398
21.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15IQD 1,500
$1.07IQD 1,402
7.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.70IQD 911
$0.79IQD 1,034
-11.39%
Potato(1kg)
$0.55IQD 721
$0.67IQD 873
-17.91%
Onion(1kg)
$0.69IQD 901
$0.65IQD 856
6.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.68IQD 890
$0.64IQD 836
6.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53IQD 689
$0.64IQD 840
-17.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46IQD 3,218
$1.77IQD 2,319
38.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60IQD 15.2K
$13.62IQD 17.8K
-14.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87IQD 2,450
$2.13IQD 2,787
-12.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70IQD 2,232
$2.30IQD 3,006
-26.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55IQD 725
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.88IQD 30.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.33IQD 3,045
$2.31IQD 3,030
0.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.24IQD 2,936
$1.49IQD 1,953
50.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.47IQD 7,168
$7.51IQD 9,836
-27.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72IQD 944
$0.62IQD 817
16.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6KIQD 27.0M
$19.2KIQD 25.1M
7.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.0KIQD 24.9M
$19.5KIQD 25.5M
-2.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$101IQD 131.6K
$216IQD 282.6K
-53.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.98IQD 14.4K
$21.41IQD 28.0K
-48.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.50IQD 37.3K
$41.41IQD 54.2K
-31.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.99IQD 47.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.18IQD 26.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.54IQD 9,871
$10.83IQD 14.2K
-30.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$176IQD 231.0K
$168IQD 220.1K
4.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,879IQD 3.8M
$3,412IQD 4.5M
-15.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.43IQD 25.4K
$29.52IQD 38.7K
-34.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.44IQD 33.3K
$38.73IQD 50.7K
-34.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.51IQD 55.7K
$73.5IQD 96.3K
-42.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.09IQD 49.9K
$47.17IQD 61.8K
-19.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$226IQD 296.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$173IQD 226.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506IQD 662.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$363IQD 474.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$831IQD 1.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$587IQD 768.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sulaymaniyah
Al Fallujah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$580IQD 759.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.77
4.12
40.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sulaymaniyah: September 14, 2026
Last update for Al Fallujah: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $23.00 in Sulaymaniyah vs $34.00 in Al Fallujah for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $189 per month, with Sulaymaniyah cheaper across the board.
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
Sulaymaniyah vs Al Fallujah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sulaymaniyah or Al Fallujah?
Al Fallujah wins on cost – living expenses run 11% lower than in Sulaymaniyah. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Fallujah the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Sulaymaniyah and in Al Fallujah?
You'd need roughly $1,171 in Sulaymaniyah and $1,051 in Al Fallujah 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.
How do childcare costs compare in Sulaymaniyah and in Al Fallujah?
Childcare runs $176 in Sulaymaniyah versus $168 in Al Fallujah. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Sulaymaniyah and in Al Fallujah?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Fallujah – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $23.00 in Sulaymaniyah. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Sulaymaniyah or in Al Fallujah?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Al Fallujah gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Sulaymaniyah or Al Fallujah?
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.
How safe is Sulaymaniyah compared to Al Fallujah?
Safety-wise, Sulaymaniyah and Al Fallujah are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Al Fallujah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Sulaymaniyah. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sulaymaniyah vs other spots: cost of living compared