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Cost of Living in Kirkuk

Kirkuk, Karkūk, Iraq · Population 975,000

▲ +0% vs Iraq average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)ع.د557,885 ($426)
Couple, monthlyع.د994,482 ($759)
Family of four, monthlyع.د1,290,291 ($985)

Estimated Prices in Kirkuk

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantع.د5,832 ($4.45)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeع.د23,328 ($17.81)per meal
Cappuccinoع.د1,750 ($1.34)each
Monthly groceries (single person)ع.د132,195 ($101)per month
Monthly public transport passع.د21,384 ($16.32)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentع.د56,377 ($43.04)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)ع.د16,330 ($12.47)per month
Fitness club membershipع.د16,330 ($12.47)per month
Cinema ticketع.د4,277 ($3.26)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د243,048 ($186)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreع.د169,077 ($129)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د507,231 ($387)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Kirkuk is ع.د694,300 ($530) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ع.د557,885 ($426) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ع.د725,251 ($554) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (ع.د169,077 ($129)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Kirkuk

Kirkuk vs BaghdadKirkuk vs MosulKirkuk vs Al BaşrahKirkuk vs As SulaymānīyahKirkuk vs Ar RamādīKirkuk vs Erbil

Nearby Cities

Tāzah Khūrmātū

19 km away · Karkūk

Āltūn Kawbrī

39 km away · Karkūk

Jamjamāl

40 km away · As Sulaymānīyah

Sawrān

43 km away · Arbīl

Ţūz Khūrmātū

68 km away · Şalāḩ ad Dīn

Kūysinjaq

72 km away · Arbīl

Makhmūr

82 km away · Arbīl

Amirlī

85 km away · Şalāḩ ad Dīn

Other Major Cities in Iraq

Baghdad

Baghdād · pop. 8,126,755

ع.د695,054 ($531) / mo

Mosul

Nīnawá · pop. 1,792,000

ع.د603,328 ($461) / mo

Al Başrah

Al Başrah · pop. 1,326,564

ع.د603,328 ($461) / 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 Kirkuk

Kirkuk is one of the key cities in Iraq. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ع.د557,885 ($426), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ع.د169,077 ($129) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ع.د1,290,291 ($985) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ع.د994,482 ($759) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Kirkuk is ع.د694,300 ($530). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ع.د725,251 ($554) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kirkuk expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ع.د557,885 ($426) per month in Kirkuk including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Iraq.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kirkuk?
A net salary of around ع.د725,251 ($554) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Kirkuk with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Kirkuk is ع.د694,300 ($530).
How much is rent in Kirkuk?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ع.د243,048 ($186) per month in the city centre and ع.د169,077 ($129) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ع.د507,231 ($387).
Is Kirkuk cheaper than Iraq on average?
No — Kirkuk is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Iraq average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Kirkuk?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ع.د132,195 ($101) in Kirkuk. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ع.د5,832 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ع.د1,750 ($1).
How do transport costs in Kirkuk compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Kirkuk is estimated at ع.د21,384 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Kirkuk are estimates based on Iraq national averages adjusted for city size (population 975,000). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.