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Cost of Living in Mosul

Mosul, Nīnawá, Iraq · Population 1,792,000

▲ +8% vs Iraq average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)ع.د603,328 ($461)
Couple, monthlyع.د1,076,505 ($822)
Family of four, monthlyع.د1,397,685 ($1,067)

Estimated Prices in Mosul

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantع.د6,272 ($4.79)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeع.د25,089 ($19.15)per meal
Cappuccinoع.د1,882 ($1.44)each
Monthly groceries (single person)ع.د142,172 ($109)per month
Monthly public transport passع.د22,998 ($17.56)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentع.د60,632 ($46.28)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)ع.د17,562 ($13.41)per month
Fitness club membershipع.د17,562 ($13.41)per month
Cinema ticketع.د4,600 ($3.51)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د266,190 ($203)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreع.د185,176 ($141)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreع.د555,527 ($424)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Mosul is ع.د746,700 ($570) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ع.د603,328 ($461) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ع.د784,326 ($599) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (ع.د185,176 ($141)) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Mosul

Mosul vs BaghdadMosul vs Al BaşrahMosul vs KirkukMosul vs As SulaymānīyahMosul vs Ar RamādīMosul vs Erbil

Nearby Cities

Barţalah

24 km away · Nīnawá

Al Ḩamdānīyah

26 km away · Nīnawá

Ḩammām al ‘Alīl

26 km away · Nīnawá

Mahād

41 km away · Nīnawá

Ash Shaykhān

42 km away · Nīnawá

Dahūk

55 km away · Dahūk

Saymayl

60 km away · Dahūk

Tall ‘Afar

60 km away · Nīnawá

Other Major Cities in Iraq

Baghdad

Baghdād · pop. 8,126,755

ع.د695,054 ($531) / 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 Mosul

Mosul is one of the key cities in Iraq. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ع.د603,328 ($461), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ع.د185,176 ($141) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ع.د1,397,685 ($1,067) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ع.د1,076,505 ($822) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Mosul is ع.د746,700 ($570). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ع.د784,326 ($599) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mosul expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ع.د603,328 ($461) per month in Mosul including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Iraq.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Mosul?
A net salary of around ع.د784,326 ($599) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Mosul with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Mosul is ع.د746,700 ($570).
How much is rent in Mosul?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ع.د266,190 ($203) per month in the city centre and ع.د185,176 ($141) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ع.د555,527 ($424).
Is Mosul cheaper than Iraq on average?
No — Mosul is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Iraq average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Mosul?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ع.د142,172 ($109) in Mosul. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ع.د6,272 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around ع.د1,882 ($1).
How do transport costs in Mosul compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Mosul is estimated at ع.د22,998 ($18). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Mosul are estimates based on Iraq national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,792,000). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.