MigrantoCost of living in Iraq
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Iraq
Spending runs from IQD 105,000 a month in the poorest fifth to IQD 459,000 in the richest
Per person, whole country
IQD 205,000
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
IQD 105,000richest 20%
IQD 459,000
Where people spend money in Iraq
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Iraq in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 34.4% of spending here, or IQD 70,800 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 14.7 points more.
How living costs in Iraq compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Iraq against other countries
Cheaper than 77% of countries
Where Iraq sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs IQD 1,310,000 at world-middle prices costs IQD 1,010,000 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Iraq
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in Iraq and how much you could have left each month
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- How much could be left each month
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Cost of living in Iraq
IQD 105,000/mo
vs IQD 1,050,000 in your country
Take-home
IQD 1,250,000
vs IQD 1,570,000 in your country
Potential savings
IQD 1,150,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Iraq?
A typical person in Iraq spends about IQD 205,000 a month — around IQD 2,450,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Iraq?
By spending, Iraq ranks #136 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about IQD 205,000 a month, the poorest 20% about IQD 105,000 and the richest 20% about IQD 459,000. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Iraq in US dollars?
The cost of living in Iraq is about $156 a month, or roughly $1,872 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Iraq?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about IQD 105,000 a month per person, a typical one around IQD 205,000, and a comfortable life around IQD 264,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Iraq?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about IQD 70,800 a month (34% of spending). Then come housing (IQD 51,100, 25%) and transport (IQD 21,000, 10%).
Is Iraq an expensive country to live in?
No. Iraq is more expensive than 27% of countries worldwide and ranks 16th of 17 in the Middle East by cost of living.
What currency is used in Iraq?
Iraq uses the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Iraq
See the full country overview