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Cost of Living in Baghdad

Baghdad, Baghdād, Iraq · Population 8,126,755 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Iraq average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)ع.د695,054 ($531)
Couple, monthlyع.د1,242,307 ($948)
Family of four, monthlyع.د1,614,996 ($1,233)

Estimated Prices in Baghdad

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantع.د7,153 ($5.46)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeع.د28,610 ($21.84)per meal
Cappuccinoع.د2,146 ($1.64)each
Monthly groceries (single person)ع.د162,126 ($124)per month
Monthly public transport passع.د26,226 ($20.02)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentع.د69,142 ($52.78)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)ع.د20,027 ($15.29)per month
Fitness club membershipع.د20,027 ($15.29)per month
Cinema ticketع.د5,245 ($4.00)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د313,682 ($239)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreع.د218,214 ($167)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د654,641 ($500)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Baghdad is ع.د851,500 ($650) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ع.د695,054 ($531) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ع.د903,570 ($690) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (ع.د218,214 ($167)) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Baghdad

Baghdad vs MosulBaghdad vs Al BaşrahBaghdad vs KirkukBaghdad vs As SulaymānīyahBaghdad vs Ar RamādīBaghdad vs Erbil

Nearby Cities

Abū Ghurayb

18 km away · Baghdād

At Tājī

25 km away · Baghdād

Sab‘ al Būr

26 km away · Baghdād

Al Maḩmūdīyah

28 km away · Baghdād

Salmān Bāk

31 km away · Baghdād

Nāḩiyat Khān Banī Sa‘d

32 km away · Diyālá

Nāḩiyat al Karmah

43 km away · Al Anbār

Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah

46 km away · Bābil

Other Major Cities in Iraq

Mosul

Nīnawá · pop. 1,792,000

ع.د603,328 ($461) / mo

Al Başrah

Al Başrah · pop. 1,326,564

ع.د603,328 ($461) / mo

Kirkuk

Karkūk · pop. 975,000

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

As Sulaymānīyah

As Sulaymānīyah · pop. 878,146

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

Ar Ramādī

Al Anbār · pop. 874,543

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

Erbil

Arbīl · pop. 846,000

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

An Najaf

An Najaf · pop. 724,700

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

Karbalā’

Karbalā’ · pop. 690,100

ع.د557,885 ($426) / mo

Living in Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital and one of the key cities in Iraq. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ع.د695,054 ($531), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ع.د218,214 ($167) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ع.د1,614,996 ($1,233) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ع.د1,242,307 ($948) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Baghdad is ع.د851,500 ($650). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ع.د903,570 ($690) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baghdad expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ع.د695,054 ($531) per month in Baghdad including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Iraq.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Baghdad?
A net salary of around ع.د903,570 ($690) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Baghdad with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Baghdad is ع.د851,500 ($650).
How much is rent in Baghdad?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ع.د313,682 ($239) per month in the city centre and ع.د218,214 ($167) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ع.د654,641 ($500).
Is Baghdad cheaper than Iraq on average?
No — Baghdad is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Iraq average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Baghdad?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ع.د162,126 ($124) in Baghdad. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ع.د7,153 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around ع.د2,146 ($2).
How do transport costs in Baghdad compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Baghdad is estimated at ع.د26,226 ($20). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Baghdad are estimates based on Iraq national averages adjusted for city size (population 8,126,755) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.