Cost Of Living For a Student in Baghdad 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: IQD
Average monthly spending for students in Baghdad
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Baghdad?
Students in Baghdad spend around 600,000 IQD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 91,000 IQD or as high as 4M IQD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Baghdad
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 1,100 IQD | 2,200 IQD | 3,600 IQD |
Restaurant meal for one
| 3,800 IQD | 5,700 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
Fine dining meal for one
| 7,600 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 46,000 IQD |
Cappuccino or latte
| 910 IQD | 1,500 IQD | 2,200 IQD |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 730 IQD | 880 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
12 eggs
| 550 IQD | 730 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
Fresh whole chicken
| 1,200 IQD | 1,600 IQD | 2,300 IQD |
Pack of beef
| 1,500 IQD | 2,200 IQD | 4,400 IQD |
Medium bag of rice
| 590 IQD | 800 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 960 IQD | 1,100 IQD | 2,300 IQD |
Average car full tank
| 5,500 IQD | 7,300 IQD | 15,000 IQD |
Average car 1-day rental
| 6,000 IQD | 8,000 IQD | 12,000 IQD |
Average car price
| 2.7M IQD | 5.5M IQD | 7.3M IQD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 8,000 IQD | 12,000 IQD | 24,000 IQD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 3,600 IQD | 24,000 IQD | 160,000 IQD |
Internet and cable
| 5,500 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 15,000 IQD |
Mobile phone charges
| 4,400 IQD | 7,300 IQD | 22,000 IQD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 2,700 IQD | 3,600 IQD | 5,500 IQD |
One month gym membership
| 9,600 IQD | 12,000 IQD | 24,000 IQD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 7,100 IQD | 10,000 IQD | 15,000 IQD |
Woman dress
| 6,700 IQD | 9,200 IQD | 30,000 IQD |
Woman shoes
| 6,300 IQD | 8,600 IQD | 20,000 IQD |
Men's shoes
| 5,500 IQD | 6,700 IQD | 13,000 IQD |
Men suit
| 6,000 IQD | 7,500 IQD | 40,000 IQD |
Regular t-shirt
| 3,000 IQD | 4,000 IQD | 12,000 IQD |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 100,000 IQD | 150,000 IQD | 400,000 IQD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 150,000 IQD | 240,000 IQD | 600,000 IQD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 200,000 IQD | 300,000 IQD | 800,000 IQD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 40M IQD | 120M IQD | 240M IQD |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 110,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD | 180,000 IQD |
Double Bed
| 73,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Single Bed
| 64,000 IQD | 84,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD |
Living Room
| 120,000 IQD | 160,000 IQD | 550,000 IQD |
Dining Table
| 55,000 IQD | 73,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Sofa or Couch
| 73,000 IQD | 99,000 IQD | 220,000 IQD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 73,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 220,000 IQD |
Fridge or Freezer
| 64,000 IQD | 99,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Washing Machine
| 84,000 IQD | 120,000 IQD | 220,000 IQD |
Stove or Cooker
| 78,000 IQD | 99,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Mobile Phone
| 91,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 160,000 IQD |
Laptop or Computer
| 99,000 IQD | 120,000 IQD | 220,000 IQD |
How do students spend their money in Baghdad?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $17 22,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $110 140,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $730 960,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Students in Baghdad typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 140,000 IQD with expenditure ranging from 22,000 IQD to 960,000 IQD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $2.8 3,600 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $18 24,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $120 160,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Baghdad ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 24,000 IQD with 3,600 IQD and 160,000 IQD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.9 6,400 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $32 42,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $210 280,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 6,400 IQD to 280,000 IQD in a month on commuting with 42,000 IQD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $14 18,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $92 120,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $610 800,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Baghdad is 120,000 IQD. The cost of groceries can range between 18,000 IQD to 800,000 IQD. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $4.2 5,400 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $28 36,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $180 240,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Students in Baghdad allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 5,400 IQD to 240,000 IQD with 36,000 IQD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $3.5 4,500 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $23 30,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $150 200,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 4,500 IQD to 200,000 IQD with 30,000 IQD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $13 17,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $87 110,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $580 760,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 110,000 IQD per month with 17,000 IQD being the minimum spent amount and 760,000 IQD being the maximum.
Other Expenses18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $10 14,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $69 90,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $460 600,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Baghdad
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Baghdad?
Around 64% of surveyed students think that living in Baghdad is affordable with proper budgeting while 36% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Baghdad
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the students living in Baghdad have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Baghdad whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes64%
No36%
Based on the survey, 36% of the students living in Baghdad said that they don't have an emergency fund while 64% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Iraq
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy51%
We asked student guardians and parents in Baghdad whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 51% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Iraq have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance40%
Easily manages finances60%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Baghdad
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Baghdad
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 100,000 IQD | 150,000 IQD | 400,000 IQD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 150,000 IQD | 240,000 IQD | 600,000 IQD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 200,000 IQD | 300,000 IQD | 800,000 IQD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 240,000 IQD | 400,000 IQD | 1.1M IQD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 480,000 IQD | 1.2M IQD | 2.4M IQD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 400,000 IQD | 600,000 IQD | 1.7M IQD |
House monthly rent cost
| 480,000 IQD | 1.2M IQD | 2.4M IQD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 600,000 IQD | 1.5M IQD | 2.4M IQD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Baghdad ranges between 100,000 IQD and 400,000 IQD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 150,000 IQD to 600,000 IQD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 200,000 IQD and 800,000 IQD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 240,000 IQD to 1.1M IQD. The average rent of a townhouse in Baghdad is around 600,000 IQD while house rental costs can be as high as 1.2M IQD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 600,000 IQD to 2.4M IQD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Baghdad
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 40M IQD | 120M IQD | 240M IQD |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 130M IQD | 200M IQD | 600M IQD |
| $100,000 | $150,000 | $460,000 |
Townhouse price
| 170M IQD | 400M IQD | 1,500M IQD |
House price
| 200M IQD | 1,200M IQD | 1,700M IQD |
Villa price
| 240M IQD | 1,300M IQD | 2,000M IQD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Baghdad can range from 20M IQD to 60M IQD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 24M IQD to 150M IQD. A villa can cost you 1,300M IQD on average with prices ranging from 240M IQD to 2,000M IQD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Baghdad will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 34 | x95 monthly income | 216 |
Property prices in Baghdad can be x95 to x216 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x95 multiples of the average monthly salary in Baghdad.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Baghdad is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 20% to 43% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
29% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,800 IQD | 24,000 IQD | 240,000 IQD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Baghdad
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Baghdad
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 3,600 IQD | 24,000 IQD | 160,000 IQD |
Internet and cable cost
| 5,500 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 15,000 IQD |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 4,400 IQD | 7,300 IQD | 22,000 IQD |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 24,000 IQD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 5,500 IQD to 15,000 IQD with 11,000 IQD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 7,300 IQD but can range between 4,400 IQD and 22,000 IQD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Baghdad is around 7.9%. This means that people pay 7.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.5% to 13% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Baghdad
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Baghdad
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 1,100 IQD | 2,200 IQD | 3,600 IQD |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Baghdad is approximatly 2,200 IQD with meal cost ranging from 1,100 IQD to 3,600 IQD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 3,800 IQD | 5,700 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 3,800 IQD and 11,000 IQD with 5,700 IQD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Baghdad.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 7,600 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 46,000 IQD |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 7,600 IQD to 46,000 IQD with the average cost being 11,000 IQD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Baghdad.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 910 IQD | 1,500 IQD | 2,200 IQD |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Baghdad is around 1,500 IQD. Price ranges between 910 IQD and 2,200 IQD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 730 IQD | 880 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Baghdad is 880 IQD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1,100 IQD and the minimum being 730 IQD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 550 IQD | 730 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
A dozen eggs costs around 730 IQD on average with 550 IQD and 1,100 IQD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 1,200 IQD | 1,600 IQD | 2,300 IQD |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Baghdad is between 1,200 IQD and 2,300 IQD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,600 IQD.
Pack of beef price
| 1,500 IQD | 2,200 IQD | 4,400 IQD |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2,200 IQD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 590 IQD | 800 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
A bag of rice in Baghdad costs around 800 IQD on average with prices rangeing between 590 IQD and 1,100 IQD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 220 IQD to 550 IQD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 510 IQD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Baghdad is around 31%. This means that students spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 38% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 18,000 IQD to 800,000 IQD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
