Cost of Living in Sulaymaniyah - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $773 monthly including rent, or $494 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,194 with rent, or $819 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,615 including rent, or $1,145 for daily expenses alone.

Sulaymaniyah sits about 43% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 28% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.07 IQD 6,639
$4.68 IQD 6,130
$7.80 IQD 10.2K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.93 IQD 30.0K
$15.29 IQD 20.0K
$66.5 IQD 87.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.04 IQD 9,216
$6.65 IQD 8,706
$7.82 IQD 10.2K
Cappuccino
$2.88 IQD 3,765
$0.78 IQD 1,022
$3.53 IQD 4,625
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 IQD 658
$0.40 IQD 521
$0.80 IQD 1,042
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 IQD 328
$0.20 IQD 260
$0.40 IQD 519
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 IQD 5,150
$1.58 IQD 2,063
$4.72 IQD 6,175
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 IQD 2,970
$1.89 IQD 2,477
$3.02 IQD 3,955
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 IQD 1,677
$0.93 IQD 1,216
$1.50 IQD 1,958
White Bread (500g)
$1.01 IQD 1,317
$0.49 IQD 645
$1.57 IQD 2,056
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.86 IQD 2,437
$1.14 IQD 1,491
$2.27 IQD 2,968
Eggs
$1.77 IQD 2,316
$1.38 IQD 1,813
$1.93 IQD 2,527
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.96 IQD 6,491
$3.72 IQD 4,872
$11.15 IQD 14.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.22 IQD 5,531
$1.92 IQD 2,515
$6.14 IQD 8,046
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.30 IQD 20.0K
$11.47 IQD 15.0K
$16.83 IQD 22.0K
Apples (1kg)
$1.28 IQD 1,677
$0.74 IQD 973
$1.50 IQD 1,959
Banana (1kg)
$1.28 IQD 1,679
$1.16 IQD 1,520
$1.54 IQD 2,022
Oranges (1kg)
$1.15 IQD 1,506
$0.74 IQD 970
$1.49 IQD 1,952
Tomato (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 889
$0.20 IQD 260
$0.79 IQD 1,039
Potato (1kg)
$0.56 IQD 734
$0.32 IQD 414
$0.77 IQD 1,015
Onion (1kg)
$0.73 IQD 950
$0.47 IQD 615
$0.78 IQD 1,017
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.73 IQD 954
$0.40 IQD 518
$0.79 IQD 1,036
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 IQD 652
$0.37 IQD 486
$0.74 IQD 971
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28 IQD 2,985
$1.52 IQD 1,994
$3.42 IQD 4,483
Wine (Bottle)
$11.23 IQD 14.7K
$5.24 IQD 6,860
$18.73 IQD 24.5K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 IQD 2,556
$0.78 IQD 1,017
$3.90 IQD 5,112
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 IQD 1,856
$0.75 IQD 986
$2.27 IQD 2,972
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.60 IQD 782
$0.40 IQD 521
$0.80 IQD 1,042
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.68 IQD 29.7K
$22.68 IQD 29.7K
$24.95 IQD 32.7K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.22 IQD 2,912
$1.86 IQD 2,429
$2.22 IQD 2,912
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.34 IQD 3,060
$0.78 IQD 1,015
$3.11 IQD 4,075
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.50 IQD 7,198
$4.71 IQD 6,174
$7.85 IQD 10.3K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.69 IQD 906
$0.66 IQD 866
$0.85 IQD 1,119
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9K IQD 27.3M
$17.4K IQD 22.8M
$23.2K IQD 30.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.9K IQD 24.8M
$15.0K IQD 19.6M
$19.6K IQD 25.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$100 IQD 131.4K
$76.5 IQD 100.1K
$229 IQD 300.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.49 IQD 15.0K
$7.66 IQD 10.0K
$15.33 IQD 20.1K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.04 IQD 36.7K
$22.32 IQD 29.2K
$30.02 IQD 39.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.70 IQD 52.0K
$23.15 IQD 30.3K
$57.9 IQD 75.8K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.09 IQD 26.3K
$11.30 IQD 14.8K
$30.13 IQD 39.5K
Cinema Ticket
$7.58 IQD 9,928
$7.58 IQD 9,928
$7.58 IQD 9,928
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$173 IQD 226.2K
$151 IQD 198.1K
$378 IQD 495.4K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,946 IQD 3.9M
$2,311 IQD 3.0M
$5,392 IQD 7.1M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.91 IQD 24.8K
$15.13 IQD 19.8K
$53.0 IQD 69.3K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.19 IQD 33.0K
$15.12 IQD 19.8K
$34.01 IQD 44.5K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$43.24 IQD 56.6K
$30.75 IQD 40.3K
$69.2 IQD 90.6K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.64 IQD 50.6K
$15.46 IQD 20.2K
$58.0 IQD 75.9K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$215 IQD 281.4K
$154 IQD 201.0K
$461 IQD 603.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$175 IQD 229.0K
$155 IQD 203.6K
$194 IQD 254.4K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$492 IQD 644.7K
$350 IQD 458.1K
$583 IQD 763.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$363 IQD 475.6K
$311 IQD 407.7K
$467 IQD 611.5K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$786 IQD 1.0M
$749 IQD 980.7K
$899 IQD 1.2M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$630 IQD 825.4K
$514 IQD 673.2K
$772 IQD 1.0M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$584 IQD 764.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.77
1.3
9

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

Last update: October 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $215 for a central one-bedroom, or $175 outside the center. At 37% of the average salary ($584), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $584, while typical expenses reach $773. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $188 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $23.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $22.68 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $33.00).

Cost Highlights

Imported beer is cheaper than 94% of cities in Asia

Taxi is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Sulaymaniyah Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
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Latency
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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 37% 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 $773 a month in Sulaymaniyah if you're renting, or around $494 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 $584 technically covers the $773 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 $215; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $175. Overall, the market runs from $175 to $215 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Sulaymaniyah?
A monthly transit pass in Sulaymaniyah goes for roughly $22.68, 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 $173 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 $773. 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 $773. 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 $773, so putting money aside takes more than $1,160 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 $773 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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