😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $696 in Tehran versus $533 in Masjed Soleyman.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,131 in Tehran versus $826 in Masjed Soleyman.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,565 in Tehran versus $1,119 in Masjed Soleyman.
😐Living in Tehran is roughly 31% more expensive than Masjed Soleyman, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Tehran48% lower, Masjed Soleyman60% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.97$3.97
$3.92$3.92
1.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.24$18.24
$16.73$16.73
9.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.12$5.12
$4.45$4.45
15.06%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.68$0.68
$0.62$0.62
9.68%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01$1.01
$1.05$1.05
-3.81%
Cappuccino
$1.27$1.27
$1.16$1.16
9.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43$0.43
$0.46$0.46
-6.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.04$1.04
$0.99$0.99
5.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.59$0.59
$0.63$0.63
-6.35%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53$0.53
$0.53$0.53
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84$1.84
$1.92$1.92
-4.17%
Eggs
$1.16$1.16
$1.19$1.19
-2.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.42$3.42
$3.41$3.41
0.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.22$3.22
$3.30$3.30
-2.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.78$10.78
$9.86$9.86
9.33%
Apples(1kg)
$0.91$0.91
$0.92$0.92
-1.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42$1.42
$1.36$1.36
4.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.82$0.82
$0.83$0.83
-1.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.68$0.68
$0.54$0.54
25.93%
Potato(1kg)
$0.52$0.52
$0.48$0.48
8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.50$0.50
$0.46$0.46
8.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63$0.63
$0.55$0.55
14.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25$0.25
$0.23$0.23
8.70%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.01$1.01
$0.95$0.95
6.32%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.59$0.59
$0.46$0.46
28.26%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56$1.56
$1.36$1.36
14.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56$2.56
$2.21$2.21
15.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24$0.24
$0.18$0.18
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.03$10.03
$10.17$10.17
-1.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52$0.52
$0.36$0.36
44.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31$0.31
$0.29$0.29
6.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.93$2.93
$2.03$2.03
44.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74$0.74
$0.76$0.76
-2.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$81.1K$81.1K
$72.6K$72.6K
11.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$54.9K$54.9K
$55.7K$55.7K
-1.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$15.63$15.63
$15.58$15.58
0.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.27$2.27
$2.11$2.11
7.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.77$5.77
$5.89$5.89
-2.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.90$22.90
$16.15$16.15
41.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.01$12.01
$12.38$12.38
-2.99%
Cinema Ticket
$1.52$1.52
$1.54$1.54
-1.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$126$126
$116$116
8.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,965$1,965
$1,970$1,970
-0.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.96$30.96
$22.45$22.45
37.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.64$34.64
$25.26$25.26
37.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$123$123
$108$108
13.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.3$71.3
$68.9$68.9
3.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$491$491
$280$280
75.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$335$335
$197$197
69.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,022$1,022
$643$643
59.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$707$707
$317$317
123.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,412$1,412
$953$953
48.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$839$839
$698$698
20.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tehran
Masjed Soleyman
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$212$212
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
25.07
22.24
12.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tehran: April 28, 2026
Last update for Masjed Soleyman: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $491 in Tehran and $280 in Masjed Soleyman. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $18.00 in Tehran vs $17.00 in Masjed Soleyman for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $110 vs $106 per month, with Masjed Soleyman 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
Tehran vs Masjed Soleyman: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tehran or Masjed Soleyman?
Masjed Soleyman wins on cost – living expenses run 31% lower than in Tehran. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Masjed Soleyman the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tehran vs Masjed Soleyman?
You'd need roughly $1,044 in Tehran and $799 in Masjed Soleyman 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tehran vs Masjed Soleyman?
Rent for a central apartment: $491 in Tehran versus $280 in Masjed Soleyman. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Tehran and Masjed Soleyman?
Childcare runs $126 in Tehran versus $116 in Masjed Soleyman. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Tehran or Masjed Soleyman?
Supermarket bills run roughly 3% higher in Tehran. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $800/month in Tehran or Masjed Soleyman?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Masjed Soleyman 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: Tehran or Masjed Soleyman?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Masjed Soleyman gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in Tehran. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.