Cost of Living in Sulaymaniyah - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $774 monthly including rent, or $495 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,198 with rent, or $830 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,623 including rent, or $1,165 for daily expenses alone.

Sulaymaniyah sits about 45% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 29% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.68 IQD 6,133
$3.91 IQD 5,115
$10.15 IQD 13.3K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.61 IQD 29.6K
$15.07 IQD 19.7K
$65.6 IQD 85.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.95 IQD 9,102
$6.57 IQD 8,599
$6.95 IQD 9,102
Cappuccino
$2.37 IQD 3,097
$0.74 IQD 973
$3.36 IQD 4,402
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 IQD 553
$0.36 IQD 478
$0.73 IQD 955
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 IQD 274
$0.18 IQD 237
$0.36 IQD 474
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.67 IQD 6,119
$1.56 IQD 2,044
$4.67 IQD 6,119
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 IQD 3,029
$1.93 IQD 2,526
$3.08 IQD 4,034
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 IQD 1,768
$0.96 IQD 1,253
$1.54 IQD 2,019
White Bread (500g)
$0.91 IQD 1,191
$0.46 IQD 602
$1.46 IQD 1,918
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.01 IQD 2,636
$1.17 IQD 1,539
$2.34 IQD 3,064
Eggs
$1.68 IQD 2,201
$1.34 IQD 1,753
$1.87 IQD 2,444
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.99 IQD 6,531
$3.84 IQD 5,030
$11.51 IQD 15.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.56 IQD 4,658
$1.94 IQD 2,542
$5.44 IQD 7,120
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.68 IQD 20.5K
$12.14 IQD 15.9K
$16.69 IQD 21.9K
Apples (1kg)
$1.32 IQD 1,728
$0.75 IQD 980
$1.51 IQD 1,974
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 IQD 1,686
$1.17 IQD 1,526
$1.55 IQD 2,031
Oranges (1kg)
$1.20 IQD 1,568
$0.77 IQD 1,010
$1.55 IQD 2,033
Tomato (1kg)
$0.70 IQD 919
$0.40 IQD 521
$0.80 IQD 1,043
Potato (1kg)
$0.59 IQD 778
$0.32 IQD 423
$0.79 IQD 1,037
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 IQD 893
$0.44 IQD 578
$0.73 IQD 956
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 IQD 937
$0.39 IQD 509
$0.78 IQD 1,018
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 IQD 650
$0.37 IQD 484
$0.74 IQD 968
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.40 IQD 3,148
$1.54 IQD 2,015
$3.46 IQD 4,532
Wine (Bottle)
$11.54 IQD 15.1K
$5.39 IQD 7,060
$19.24 IQD 25.2K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 IQD 2,560
$0.78 IQD 1,019
$3.91 IQD 5,120
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 IQD 2,193
$0.74 IQD 969
$2.23 IQD 2,920
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 IQD 722
$0.37 IQD 481
$0.73 IQD 962
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.03 IQD 30.2K
$23.03 IQD 30.2K
$25.33 IQD 33.2K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.36 IQD 3,087
$1.97 IQD 2,575
$3.14 IQD 4,112
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.26 IQD 2,961
$0.75 IQD 983
$3.01 IQD 3,944
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.33 IQD 6,982
$4.56 IQD 5,977
$7.61 IQD 9,971
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.67 IQD 879
$0.63 IQD 828
$0.82 IQD 1,070
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K IQD 26.6M
$17.0K IQD 22.2M
$22.6K IQD 29.6M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.4K IQD 25.4M
$15.4K IQD 20.1M
$20.2K IQD 26.4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$99.6 IQD 130.4K
$75.9 IQD 99.3K
$228 IQD 298.0K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.01 IQD 14.4K
$7.78 IQD 10.2K
$15.54 IQD 20.4K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.26 IQD 38.3K
$27.19 IQD 35.6K
$30.30 IQD 39.7K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.07 IQD 47.2K
$22.78 IQD 29.8K
$45.57 IQD 59.7K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.49 IQD 26.8K
$11.52 IQD 15.1K
$30.73 IQD 40.2K
Cinema Ticket
$7.69 IQD 10.1K
$7.69 IQD 10.1K
$7.69 IQD 10.1K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$176 IQD 231.1K
$155 IQD 202.4K
$386 IQD 506.0K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,969 IQD 3.9M
$2,329 IQD 3.0M
$5,434 IQD 7.1M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.91 IQD 24.8K
$15.12 IQD 19.8K
$52.9 IQD 69.3K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.92 IQD 33.9K
$15.55 IQD 20.4K
$35.00 IQD 45.8K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$42.61 IQD 55.8K
$30.30 IQD 39.7K
$68.2 IQD 89.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.42 IQD 49.0K
$14.96 IQD 19.6K
$56.1 IQD 73.5K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$229 IQD 300.2K
$191 IQD 250.1K
$458 IQD 600.4K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$177 IQD 231.7K
$154 IQD 201.5K
$385 IQD 503.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$499 IQD 653.5K
$340 IQD 445.6K
$605 IQD 792.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$357 IQD 466.9K
$303 IQD 397.3K
$531 IQD 695.3K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$813 IQD 1.1M
$762 IQD 998.1K
$915 IQD 1.2M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$582 IQD 761.8K
$513 IQD 671.7K
$693 IQD 907.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$563 IQD 737.4K
-
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: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $229 for a central one-bedroom, or $177 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($563), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $563, while typical expenses reach $774. 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 $23.03 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $34.00).

Cost Highlights

Taxi is more expensive than 90% of cities in Asia

Sulaymaniyah is cheaper than 79% globally but more expensive than 58% within Asia.

Sulaymaniyah Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

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Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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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 $774 a month in Sulaymaniyah if you're renting, or around $495 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 $563 technically covers the $774 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 $229; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $177. Overall, the market runs from $177 to $229 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Sulaymaniyah?
A monthly transit pass in Sulaymaniyah goes for roughly $23.03, 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 $176 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 $774. 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 $774. 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 $774, so putting money aside takes more than $1,161 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 $774 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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