Cost of Living in Sulaymaniyah - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $752 monthly including rent, or $539 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,169 with rent, or $911 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,586 including rent, or $1,282 for daily expenses alone.

Sulaymaniyah sits about 44% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 26% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.40 IQD 7,068
$3.86 IQD 5,051
$10.02 IQD 13.1K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.96 IQD 35.3K
$23.11 IQD 30.3K
$67.0 IQD 87.7K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.98 IQD 9,142
$6.60 IQD 8,638
$9.30 IQD 12.2K
Cappuccino
$2.68 IQD 3,507
$0.79 IQD 1,031
$3.52 IQD 4,604
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 IQD 512
$0.39 IQD 512
$0.79 IQD 1,037
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 IQD 274
$0.21 IQD 274
$0.42 IQD 547
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.04 IQD 2,675
$1.49 IQD 1,949
$4.47 IQD 5,847
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 IQD 3,492
$1.54 IQD 2,016
$3.08 IQD 4,032
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.49 IQD 1,948
$0.98 IQD 1,290
$1.96 IQD 2,566
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 IQD 1,346
$0.79 IQD 1,036
$1.57 IQD 2,059
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.60 IQD 2,100
$1.14 IQD 1,491
$3.03 IQD 3,968
Eggs
$1.69 IQD 2,219
$1.34 IQD 1,760
$2.69 IQD 3,520
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.79 IQD 7,586
$3.74 IQD 4,900
$14.96 IQD 19.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.43 IQD 4,492
$1.88 IQD 2,458
$5.27 IQD 6,898
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.35 IQD 18.8K
$11.60 IQD 15.2K
$17.02 IQD 22.3K
Apples (1kg)
$1.17 IQD 1,529
$0.75 IQD 981
$1.49 IQD 1,950
Banana (1kg)
$1.30 IQD 1,703
$1.18 IQD 1,542
$1.57 IQD 2,051
Oranges (1kg)
$1.26 IQD 1,651
$0.75 IQD 985
$1.50 IQD 1,958
Tomato (1kg)
$0.71 IQD 925
$0.37 IQD 488
$0.76 IQD 990
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 IQD 875
$0.40 IQD 519
$0.80 IQD 1,052
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 893
$0.39 IQD 514
$0.80 IQD 1,042
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.59 IQD 772
$0.39 IQD 515
$1.19 IQD 1,558
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 IQD 589
$0.18 IQD 238
$0.74 IQD 965
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.93 IQD 2,532
$1.55 IQD 2,028
$3.10 IQD 4,057
Wine (Bottle)
$11.63 IQD 15.2K
$5.43 IQD 7,110
$19.39 IQD 25.4K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 IQD 1,992
$1.13 IQD 1,478
$1.87 IQD 2,455
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 IQD 2,305
$1.14 IQD 1,489
$2.27 IQD 2,978
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 IQD 725
$0.37 IQD 484
$0.55 IQD 725
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.33 IQD 30.5K
$23.33 IQD 30.5K
$25.66 IQD 33.6K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.28 IQD 2,983
$2.28 IQD 2,983
$2.28 IQD 2,983
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.29 IQD 2,993
$0.77 IQD 1,002
$3.05 IQD 3,995
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.20 IQD 6,812
$4.45 IQD 5,833
$7.42 IQD 9,722
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.71 IQD 931
$0.55 IQD 717
$0.92 IQD 1,208
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K IQD 27.4M
$18.3K IQD 23.9M
$23.3K IQD 30.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K IQD 27.4M
$19.2K IQD 25.2M
$23.1K IQD 30.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$76.1 IQD 99.6K
$60.2 IQD 78.9K
$226 IQD 295.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.47 IQD 21.6K
$7.58 IQD 9,931
$30.35 IQD 39.7K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.94 IQD 35.3K
$19.44 IQD 25.5K
$31.11 IQD 40.7K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.52 IQD 50.4K
$22.55 IQD 29.5K
$60.1 IQD 78.7K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.02 IQD 22.3K
$6.08 IQD 7,957
$19.37 IQD 25.4K
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 IQD 9,776
$7.47 IQD 9,776
$11.20 IQD 14.7K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$154 IQD 201.3K
$116 IQD 152.3K
$388 IQD 507.6K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,465 IQD 4.5M
$2,284 IQD 3.0M
$4,949 IQD 6.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.94 IQD 31.4K
$11.58 IQD 15.2K
$54.1 IQD 70.8K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.45 IQD 33.3K
$15.43 IQD 20.2K
$61.7 IQD 80.8K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$43.60 IQD 57.1K
$19.99 IQD 26.2K
$130 IQD 170.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.26 IQD 47.5K
$15.36 IQD 20.1K
$57.6 IQD 75.4K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$236 IQD 309.5K
$192 IQD 250.9K
$307 IQD 401.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$177 IQD 232.3K
$152 IQD 199.1K
$190 IQD 248.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$574 IQD 751.2K
$341 IQD 446.4K
$1,061 IQD 1.4M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$351 IQD 459.5K
$273 IQD 357.4K
$468 IQD 612.6K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$828 IQD 1.1M
$776 IQD 1.0M
$931 IQD 1.2M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$571 IQD 748.3K
$504 IQD 659.8K
$681 IQD 891.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$575 IQD 753.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9
5
9

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $236 for a central one-bedroom, or $177 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($575), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $575, while typical expenses reach $752. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $184 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $27.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $23.33 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Sulaymaniyah is cheaper than 79% globally but more expensive than 56% within Asia.

Sulaymaniyah Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Sulaymaniyah - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sulaymaniyah a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads when it comes to everyday costs?
Many find that Cost of Living in Sulaymaniyah offers solid value, with rents that are generally more affordable than larger regional cities and groceries, meals, and services that fit a practical budget. You can choose modest, functional apartments or shared spaces that make housing predictable. Local markets and casual eateries supply nourishing options at modest prices, and you can walk or cycle in many neighborhoods to save on transport. Community and café culture support productive days without high costs for work spaces. Slight seasonal shifts affect energy and dining routines, but the overall rhythm stays manageable for a nomad schedule. Tip: map a simple budget focusing on housing, food, transport, and occasional experiences to stay flexible.
What should you know about daily life in Sulaymaniyah, including housing search tips, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life revolves around markets, cafes, and walkable neighborhoods. When searching for housing, start with neighborhood pros and cons: closer to the river and city center gives convenience but can raise rent, while quieter outskirts often offer more space for the same budget. For food, you’ll find fresh produce at markets and a mix of home-style and modern eateries; cooking at home helps stretch a budget. Transport relies on a network of minivans, shared taxis, and walking; many places are bikeable in good weather. For work, look for coworking spaces or quiet cafés with reliable Wi-Fi, and ask locals about safe hours and access. Sulaymaniyah living cost helps you plan with confidence. Tip: When budgeting, start with a baseline for housing and food, then add flexible funds for transport and occasional outings.
How can you approach budgeting and neighborhood fit for a sustainable lifestyle, including seasonality and ways to save?
Quality of life comes from fit as much as price. Build a simple budgeting framework: categorize expenses by housing, food, transport, and personal perks, then review weekly. Seasonality matters: summer heat can shift energy use, winter coolness may alter heating routines, and holidays can alter open hours and market crowds. For neighborhood fit, explore a mix of central and hillside areas to balance access and calm, and use longer walks or casual rides to connect with communities. Practical savings come from cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and leveraging public transit or car-share options when possible. Tip: test neighborhoods at different times of day to see how they feel.
How much of a salary does housing take in Sulaymaniyah?
About 41% of the average paycheck in Sulaymaniyah goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.
How much does it cost to live in Sulaymaniyah per month?
Plan for roughly $752 a month in Sulaymaniyah if you're renting, or around $539 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.
Can you get by on an average income in Sulaymaniyah?
An average salary of $575 technically covers the $752 monthly cost of living in Sulaymaniyah, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.
How much should I budget for housing in Sulaymaniyah?
Where you live in Sulaymaniyah makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $236; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $177. Overall, the market runs from $177 to $236 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Sulaymaniyah?
A monthly transit pass in Sulaymaniyah goes for roughly $23.33, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Sulaymaniyah?
Childcare averages $154 monthly at a private kindergarten in Sulaymaniyah. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Sulaymaniyah?
$1,000 stretches far in Sulaymaniyah – all-in monthly costs average only $752. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Sulaymaniyah expat-friendly?
Expats in Sulaymaniyah enjoy low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, café culture, and monthly costs average around $752. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Sulaymaniyah?
Monthly expenses in Sulaymaniyah run around $752, so putting money aside takes more than $1,128 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Can you backpack through Sulaymaniyah cheaply?
Budget travelers love Sulaymaniyah – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $752 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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