Middle East Updated
Average Cost of Living in Erbil
The average cost of living in Erbil, Iraq is $592 per month for a single person, and $1,369 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $477 per month. The local average net salary is $581 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 13.4 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $592 / month
- Family of 4
- $1,369 / mo
- Student
- $357 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Erbil
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$581.12 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Erbil | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Erbil | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Erbil | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Erbil | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Erbil | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Erbil | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Erbil | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Erbil | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Erbil | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Erbil | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Erbil FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Erbil. |
Rent & Property Prices in Erbil
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $477 | $306 – $702 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $279 | $191 – $400 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $727 | $459 – $962 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $446 | $338 – $700 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $1,111 | $765 – $1,248 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $654 | $574 – $707 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $477$306 – $702
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $279$191 – $400
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $727$459 – $962
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $446$338 – $700
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $1,111$765 – $1,248
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $654$574 – $707
Grocery Prices in Erbil
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.22 | $0.96 – $1.91 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $0.83 | $0.38 – $1.53 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.74 | $1.15 – $2.68 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $1.81 | $1.15 – $2.52 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $8.19 | $3.06 – $15 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $5.07 | $2.68 – $9.18 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $15 | $11 – $17 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $1.18 | $0.76 – $1.53 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.11 | $0.76 – $1.53 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.21 | $0.76 – $1.53 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $0.78 | $0.57 – $1.53 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $0.72 | $0.54 – $1.53 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $0.75 | $0.38 – $1.53 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.83 | $0.38 – $1.15 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.57 | $0.19 – $1.15 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $12 | $7.65 – $23 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.67 | $0.76 – $1.99 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.12 | $1.53 – $2.32 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $2.68 | $1.99 – $3.06 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.22$0.96 – $1.91
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $0.83$0.38 – $1.53
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.74$1.15 – $2.68
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $1.81$1.15 – $2.52
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $8.19$3.06 – $15
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $5.07$2.68 – $9.18
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $15$11 – $17
- Apples (1 kg) $1.18$0.76 – $1.53
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.11$0.76 – $1.53
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.21$0.76 – $1.53
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $0.78$0.57 – $1.53
- Potatoes (1 kg) $0.72$0.54 – $1.53
- Onions (1 kg) $0.75$0.38 – $1.53
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.83$0.38 – $1.15
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.57$0.19 – $1.15
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $12$7.65 – $23
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.67$0.76 – $1.99
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.12$1.53 – $2.32
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $2.68$1.99 – $3.06
Public Transport & Car Costs in Erbil
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.57 | $0.57 – $0.57 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $39 | $27 – $46 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.91 | $1.53 – $2.29 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.78 | $1.53 – $2.29 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $6.50 | $3.82 – $7.65 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $0.72 | $0.65 – $0.99 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $18,000 | $17,212 – $19,125 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $20,017 | $17,212 – $26,775 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.57$0.57 – $0.57
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $39$27 – $46
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.91$1.53 – $2.29
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $1.78$1.53 – $2.29
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $6.50$3.82 – $7.65
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $0.72$0.65 – $0.99
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $18,000$17,212 – $19,125
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $20,017$17,212 – $26,775
Utility & Internet Costs in Erbil
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $122 | $77 – $230 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $14 | $11 – $19 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $28 | $15 – $38 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $122$77 – $230
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $14$11 – $19
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $28$15 – $38
Childcare & Preschool in Erbil
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $313 | $191 – $667 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $3,139 | $2,295 – $4,590 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $313$191 – $667
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $3,139$2,295 – $4,590
Clothing Prices in Erbil
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $34 | $19 – $77 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $45 | $27 – $68 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $72 | $57 – $115 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $74 | $38 – $115 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $34$19 – $77
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $45$27 – $68
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $72$57 – $115
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $74$38 – $115
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Erbil
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $69 | $38 – $115 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $14 | $7.65 – $20 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $11 | $11 – $15 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $69$38 – $115
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $14$7.65 – $20
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $11$11 – $15
Restaurant Prices in Erbil
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $7.65 | $3.82 – $11 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $44 | $31 – $77 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $8.41 | $7.65 – $9.18 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.59 | $1.91 – $9.94 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $4.59 | $1.91 – $9.18 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.68 | $2.29 – $5.35 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $0.86 | $0.38 – $1.91 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.47 | $0.19 – $0.76 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $7.65$3.82 – $11
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $44$31 – $77
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $8.41$7.65 – $9.18
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $4.59$1.91 – $9.94
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $4.59$1.91 – $9.18
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.68$2.29 – $5.35
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $0.86$0.38 – $1.91
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.47$0.19 – $0.76
Salaries & Mortgages in Erbil
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $581 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.40% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $581
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.40%
Compare Erbil with…
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Erbil?
- An estimated $592 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Erbil. A family of four needs around $1,369 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $357.
- How much money do I need to live in Erbil?
- Plan for at least $592 per month as a single person, $1,369 per month for a family of four, or $357 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Erbil.
- What is the average rent in Erbil?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Erbil rents for around $477 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $727 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Erbil?
- The average monthly net salary in Erbil is around $581. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 82% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Erbil?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Erbil costs around $7.65. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $33 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.22/L) and bread ($0.83/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Erbil?
- A monthly public transport pass in Erbil costs around $39. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Erbil?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Erbil costs around $28 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.