Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Iran Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Iran

Name: Iran
Address: IR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,626 per month in United States vs $511 in Iran, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,830 per month in United States vs $815 in Iran, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,033 per month in United States vs $1,118 in Iran, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 414% higher than in Iran on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 90% above the global median, while Iran is 63% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($986–$5,298) than in Iran ($351–$785), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.83 $19.83

$3.06 $3.06

548.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.8 $78.8

$15.91 $15.91

395.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.19 $12.19

$4.09 $4.09

198.04%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.86 $0.86

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 $0.99

Cappuccino

$5.59 $5.59

$1.19 $1.19

369.75%

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

$2.78 $2.78

$0.53 $0.53

424.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$0.91 $0.91

139.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 $5.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.02 $8.02

Milk (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$0.65 $0.65

64.62%

White Bread (500g)

$3.68 $3.68

$0.47 $0.47

682.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.66 $4.66

$2.32 $2.32

100.86%

Eggs

$4.20 $4.20

$1.16 $1.16

262.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.78 $12.78

$3.70 $3.70

245.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.40 $12.40

$3.02 $3.02

310.60%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.90 $16.90

$9.39 $9.39

79.98%

Apples (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$0.89 $0.89

487.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.50 $1.50

10.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$0.83 $0.83

421.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$0.54 $0.54

818.52%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$0.48 $0.48

487.50%

Onion (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$0.46 $0.46

576.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.19 $2.19

$0.54 $0.54

305.56%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$0.25 $0.25

804.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.98 $0.98

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 $0.53

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.40 $1.40

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.35 $10.35

$2.26 $2.26

357.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.65 $3.65

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.38 $2.38

$0.15 $0.15

1486.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.5 $64.5

$10.04 $10.04

542.33%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 $3.54

$0.51 $0.51

594.12%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 $1.86

$0.31 $0.31

500.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.34 $30.34

$2.42 $2.42

1153.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$0.29 $0.29

244.83%

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

$35.5K $35.5K

$60.0K $60.0K

-40.80%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$56.8K $56.8K

-54.49%

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

$222 $222

$14.21 $14.21

1463.62%

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

$61.1 $61.1

$2.33 $2.33

2523.61%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.7 $74.7

$6.75 $6.75

1006.07%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.49 $44.49

$16.50 $16.50

169.64%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$22.35 $22.35

$11.98 $11.98

86.56%

Cinema Ticket

$15.03 $15.03

$1.54 $1.54

875.97%

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

$1,431 $1,431

$79.6 $79.6

1697.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.9K $25.9K

$1,164 $1,164

2123.38%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.6 $53.6

$22.32 $22.32

140.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.46 $43.46

$26.69 $26.69

62.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.5 $91.5

$98.3 $98.3

-6.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$60.4 $60.4

88.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,633 $1,633

$266 $266

513.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,328 $1,328

$182 $182

628.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,606 $2,606

$559 $559

365.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,206 $2,206

$359 $359

515.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,323 $3,323

$975 $975

241.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,653 $2,653

$585 $585

353.86%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,306 $4,306

$247 $247

1643.31%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

22.98

-72.98%

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

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Last update for Iran: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,604 in United States vs $283 in Iran. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,360 in Columbia, TN and $423 in Tehran.

Average salary: $4,526 in United States vs $265 in Iran. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 467% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 369% more in United States.

Public transport is 238% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1608% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Iran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Iran is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 453% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Iran, contributing to the overall 453% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$800 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Iran, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Iran is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.