Cost of Living in Iraq 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Iraq is the Iraqi dinar (IQD).
Monthly Living Costs in Iraq
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): €465 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €585 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Iraq Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 36.5 |
| Rent index | 7.3 |
| Groceries index | 28.1 |
| Restaurant price index | 25.5 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 58 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 42 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 10.1 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Iraq from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €18,000 |
| Engineering | €15,000 |
| Finance | €14,000 |
| Healthcare | €12,000 |
| Construction | €9,000 |
| Education | €8,500 |
| Hospitality | €6,500 |
| Retail | €5,500 |
Taxes in Iraq
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 15% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,400 |
| VAT / sales tax | 15% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 15% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,400 per month. After rent and essentials (€465), roughly €5,935 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Iraq Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | €280 | €95 | €25 | 36.5 |
| Iran | €364 | €150 | €4 | 12 |
| Jordan | €420 | €180 | €35 | 44.9 |
| Kuwait | €550 | €180 | €55 | 59.5 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Iraq:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 11 residence and visa routes for Iraq — see the full Iraq visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €465 per month to sustain a move to Iraq.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iraq expensive?
Iraq has a cost-of-living index of 36.5 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €280 per month and a single person spends about €465 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Iraq?
About €465 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 €585 per month.
What is the average rent in Iraq?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €280 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €420 per month in Iraq. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Iraq?
Typical gross annual salaries in Iraq range from €5,500 (Retail) to €18,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Iraq country profile and the Iraq emigration guide.
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