Cost of Living in Iran 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Iran is the Iranian rial (IRR).
Monthly Living Costs in Iran
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €530 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €684 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Iran Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 12 |
| Rent index | 8 |
| Groceries index | 20.7 |
| Restaurant price index | 16.2 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 30.3 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 281.6 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 17.2 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Iran from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €18,000 |
| Finance | €13,000 |
| Engineering | €13,000 |
| Healthcare | €9,500 |
| Construction | €9,000 |
| Education | €7,500 |
| Retail | €5,000 |
| Hospitality | €5,000 |
Taxes in Iran
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 19.9% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,340 |
| VAT / sales tax | 9% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 30% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,340 per month. After rent and essentials (€530), roughly €4,810 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Iran Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | €364 | €150 | €4 | 12 |
| Afghanistan | €280 | €95 | €8 | 22.2 |
| Armenia | €280 | €85 | €22 | 43.2 |
| Azerbaijan | €280 | €95 | €2 | 32 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Iran:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 5 residence and visa routes for Iran — see the full Iran visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €425 per month to sustain a move to Iran.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iran expensive?
Iran has a cost-of-living index of 12 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €364 per month and a single person spends about €530 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Iran?
About €530 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €684 per month.
What is the average rent in Iran?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €364 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €420 per month in Iran. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Iran?
Typical gross annual salaries in Iran range from €5,000 (Hospitality) to €18,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Iran country profile and the Iran emigration guide.
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