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Cost of Living in Karaj

Karaj, Alborz, Iran · Population 1,973,470

▲ +8% vs Iran average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)﷼18,302,721 ($436)
Couple, monthly﷼32,970,054 ($785)
Family of four, monthly﷼43,105,742 ($1,026)

Estimated Prices in Karaj

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant﷼179,550 ($4.28)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range﷼718,200 ($17.10)per meal
Cappuccino﷼53,865 ($1.28)each
Monthly groceries (single person)﷼4,069,800 ($96.90)per month
Monthly public transport pass﷼658,350 ($15.68)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment﷼1,735,650 ($41.33)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)﷼502,740 ($11.97)per month
Fitness club membership﷼502,740 ($11.97)per month
Cinema ticket﷼131,670 ($3.14)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼9,103,286 ($217)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre﷼6,332,721 ($151)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre﷼18,998,162 ($452)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Karaj is ﷼14,364,000 ($342) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ﷼18,302,721 ($436) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ﷼23,793,537 ($567) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (﷼6,332,721 ($151)) represents about 35% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Karaj

Karaj vs TehranKaraj vs MashhadKaraj vs EşfahānKaraj vs ShīrāzKaraj vs TabrīzKaraj vs Ahvāz

Nearby Cities

Meshkīn Dasht

10 km away · Tehrān

Moḩammad Shahr

10 km away · Alborz

Garmdarreh

11 km away · Alborz

Kamālshahr

11 km away · Alborz

Fardīs

12 km away · Alborz

Chahār Dāngeh

13 km away · Alborz

Shahr-e Qods

16 km away · Tehrān

Malārd

19 km away · Tehrān

Other Major Cities in Iran

Tehran

Tehrān · pop. 14,148,000

﷼21,112,571 ($503) / mo

Mashhad

Khorāsān-e Raẕavī · pop. 3,317,381

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Eşfahān

Eşfahān · pop. 2,219,343

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Shīrāz

Fārs · pop. 1,565,572

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Tabrīz

Āz̄arbāyjān-e Sharqī · pop. 1,558,693

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Ahvāz

Khūzestān · pop. 1,325,000

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Qom

Qom · pop. 1,201,158

﷼18,302,721 ($436) / mo

Kermānshāh

Kermānshāh · pop. 946,651

﷼16,912,180 ($403) / mo

Living in Karaj

Karaj is one of the key cities in Iran. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ﷼18,302,721 ($436), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ﷼6,332,721 ($151) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ﷼43,105,742 ($1,026) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ﷼32,970,054 ($785) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Karaj is ﷼14,364,000 ($342). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ﷼23,793,537 ($567) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karaj expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ﷼18,302,721 ($436) per month in Karaj including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Iran.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Karaj?
A net salary of around ﷼23,793,537 ($567) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Karaj with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Karaj is ﷼14,364,000 ($342).
How much is rent in Karaj?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ﷼9,103,286 ($217) per month in the city centre and ﷼6,332,721 ($151) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ﷼18,998,162 ($452).
Is Karaj cheaper than Iran on average?
No — Karaj is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Iran average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Karaj?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ﷼4,069,800 ($97) in Karaj. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ﷼179,550 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ﷼53,865 ($1).
How do transport costs in Karaj compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Karaj is estimated at ﷼658,350 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Karaj are estimates based on Iran national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,973,470). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.