Cost Of Living For a Student in Tehran 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: IRR
Average monthly spending for students in Tehran
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Tehran?
Students in Tehran spend around 14M IRR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2.1M IRR or as high as 93M IRR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tehran
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 25,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR | 84,000 IRR |
Restaurant meal for one
| 88,000 IRR | 130,000 IRR | 260,000 IRR |
Fine dining meal for one
| 180,000 IRR | 260,000 IRR | 1.1M IRR |
Cappuccino or latte
| 21,000 IRR | 33,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 17,000 IRR | 20,000 IRR | 25,000 IRR |
12 eggs
| 13,000 IRR | 17,000 IRR | 25,000 IRR |
Fresh whole chicken
| 28,000 IRR | 37,000 IRR | 52,000 IRR |
Pack of beef
| 33,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR | 100,000 IRR |
Medium bag of rice
| 13,000 IRR | 18,000 IRR | 26,000 IRR |
Bag of tomatos
| 5,000 IRR | 6,700 IRR | 13,000 IRR |
Bag of apples
| 9,000 IRR | 12,000 IRR | 19,000 IRR |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 22,000 IRR | 26,000 IRR | 53,000 IRR |
Average car full tank
| 130,000 IRR | 170,000 IRR | 330,000 IRR |
Average car 1-day rental
| 140,000 IRR | 180,000 IRR | 280,000 IRR |
Average car price
| 63M IRR | 130M IRR | 170M IRR |
Bus ticket one way
| 4,600 IRR | 6,900 IRR | 14,000 IRR |
Car Service
| 180,000 IRR | 280,000 IRR | 550,000 IRR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 84,000 IRR | 560,000 IRR | 3.7M IRR |
Internet and cable
| 130,000 IRR | 250,000 IRR | 330,000 IRR |
Mobile phone charges
| 100,000 IRR | 170,000 IRR | 500,000 IRR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 63,000 IRR | 84,000 IRR | 130,000 IRR |
One month gym membership
| 220,000 IRR | 280,000 IRR | 550,000 IRR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 160,000 IRR | 230,000 IRR | 340,000 IRR |
Woman dress
| 150,000 IRR | 210,000 IRR | 690,000 IRR |
Woman shoes
| 150,000 IRR | 200,000 IRR | 460,000 IRR |
Men's shoes
| 130,000 IRR | 150,000 IRR | 310,000 IRR |
Men suit
| 140,000 IRR | 170,000 IRR | 920,000 IRR |
Regular t-shirt
| 69,000 IRR | 92,000 IRR | 280,000 IRR |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 2.3M IRR | 3.4M IRR | 9.2M IRR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3.4M IRR | 5.5M IRR | 14M IRR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 4.6M IRR | 6.9M IRR | 18M IRR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 460M IRR | 690M IRR | 1,400M IRR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 550M IRR | 920M IRR | 3,400M IRR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 920M IRR | 2,800M IRR | 5,500M IRR |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 2.5M IRR | 3.1M IRR | 4.2M IRR |
Double Bed
| 1.7M IRR | 2.5M IRR | 3.1M IRR |
Single Bed
| 1.5M IRR | 1.9M IRR | 2.5M IRR |
Living Room
| 2.8M IRR | 3.6M IRR | 13M IRR |
Dining Table
| 1.3M IRR | 1.7M IRR | 3.1M IRR |
Sofa or Couch
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
Fridge or Freezer
| 1.5M IRR | 2.3M IRR | 3.1M IRR |
Washing Machine
Stove or Cooker
| 1.8M IRR | 2.3M IRR | 3.1M IRR |
Mobile Phone
| 2.1M IRR | 2.5M IRR | 3.6M IRR |
Laptop or Computer
How do students spend their money in Tehran?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $12 510,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $80 3.4M IRR |
| HIGH | $530 22M IRR |
| Per Month |
Students in Tehran typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 3.4M IRR with expenditure ranging from 510,000 IRR to 22M IRR. 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 utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2 84,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $13 560,000 IRR |
| HIGH | $89 3.7M IRR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Tehran ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 560,000 IRR with 84,000 IRR and 3.7M IRR 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 | $3.5 150,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $23 980,000 IRR |
| HIGH | $160 6.5M IRR |
| 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 150,000 IRR to 6.5M IRR in a month on commuting with 980,000 IRR 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 | $10 420,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $67 2.8M IRR |
| HIGH | $440 19M IRR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Tehran is 2.8M IRR. The cost of groceries can range between 420,000 IRR to 19M IRR. 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 | $3 130,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $20 840,000 IRR |
| HIGH | $130 5.6M IRR |
| Per Month |
Students in Tehran 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 130,000 IRR to 5.6M IRR with 840,000 IRR being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $2.5 110,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $17 700,000 IRR |
| HIGH | $110 4.7M IRR |
| 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 110,000 IRR to 4.7M IRR with 700,000 IRR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $9.5 400,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $63 2.7M IRR |
| HIGH | $420 18M IRR |
| 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 2.7M IRR per month with 400,000 IRR being the minimum spent amount and 18M IRR being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $7.5 320,000 IRR |
| AVERAGE | $50 2.1M IRR |
| HIGH | $330 14M IRR |
| 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 Tehran
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Tehran?
Around 58% of surveyed students think that living in Tehran is affordable with proper budgeting while 43% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Tehran
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 options63%
Few low-cost options37%
Based on the survey, 63% of the students living in Tehran have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% 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 Tehran whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes58%
No43%
Based on the survey, 43% of the students living in Tehran said that they don't have an emergency fund while 58% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Iran
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 Leteracy47%
We asked student guardians and parents in Tehran whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 53% 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 47% 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 Iran have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 43% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 57% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance43%
Easily manages finances57%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Tehran
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Tehran
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 2.3M IRR | 3.4M IRR | 9.2M IRR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3.4M IRR | 5.5M IRR | 14M IRR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 4.6M IRR | 6.9M IRR | 18M IRR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 5.5M IRR | 9.2M IRR | 25M IRR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
Townhouse monthly rent cost
House monthly rent cost
Villa monthly rent cost
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Tehran ranges between 2.3M IRR and 9.2M IRR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 3.4M IRR to 14M IRR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 4.6M IRR and 18M IRR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 5.5M IRR to 25M IRR. The average rent of a townhouse in Tehran is around 14M IRR while house rental costs can be as high as 28M IRR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 14M IRR to 55M IRR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Tehran
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 460M IRR | 690M IRR | 1,400M IRR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 550M IRR | 920M IRR | 3,400M IRR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 920M IRR | 2,800M IRR | 5,500M IRR |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 3,100M IRR | 4,600M IRR | 14,000M IRR |
| $73,000 | $110,000 | $330,000 |
Townhouse price
| 3,900M IRR | 9,200M IRR | 34,000M IRR |
| $94,000 | $220,000 | $820,000 |
House price
| 4,600M IRR | 28,000M IRR | 39,000M IRR |
| $110,000 | $660,000 | $940,000 |
Villa price
| 5,500M IRR | 31,000M IRR | 46,000M IRR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Tehran can range from 460M IRR to 1,400M IRR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 550M IRR to 3,400M IRR. A villa can cost you 31,000M IRR on average with prices ranging from 5,500M IRR to 46,000M IRR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Tehran 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
| 35 | x99 monthly income | 214 |
Property prices in Tehran can be x99 to x214 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x99 multiples of the average monthly salary in Tehran.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Tehran is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% 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.
| 42,000 IRR | 550,000 IRR | 5.5M IRR |
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 Tehran
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Tehran
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 84,000 IRR | 560,000 IRR | 3.7M IRR |
Internet and cable cost
| 130,000 IRR | 250,000 IRR | 330,000 IRR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 100,000 IRR | 170,000 IRR | 500,000 IRR |
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 560,000 IRR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 130,000 IRR to 330,000 IRR with 250,000 IRR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 170,000 IRR but can range between 100,000 IRR and 500,000 IRR 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 Tehran is around 6.6%. This means that people pay 6.6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.3% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Tehran
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Tehran
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 25,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR | 84,000 IRR |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Tehran is approximatly 50,000 IRR with meal cost ranging from 25,000 IRR to 84,000 IRR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 88,000 IRR | 130,000 IRR | 260,000 IRR |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 88,000 IRR and 260,000 IRR with 130,000 IRR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Tehran.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 180,000 IRR | 260,000 IRR | 1.1M IRR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 180,000 IRR to 1.1M IRR with the average cost being 260,000 IRR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Tehran.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 21,000 IRR | 33,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Tehran is around 33,000 IRR. Price ranges between 21,000 IRR and 50,000 IRR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 17,000 IRR | 20,000 IRR | 25,000 IRR |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Tehran is 20,000 IRR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 25,000 IRR and the minimum being 17,000 IRR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 13,000 IRR | 17,000 IRR | 25,000 IRR |
A dozen eggs costs around 17,000 IRR on average with 13,000 IRR and 25,000 IRR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 28,000 IRR | 37,000 IRR | 52,000 IRR |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Tehran is between 28,000 IRR and 52,000 IRR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 37,000 IRR.
Pack of beef price
| 33,000 IRR | 50,000 IRR | 100,000 IRR |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 50,000 IRR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 13,000 IRR | 18,000 IRR | 26,000 IRR |
A bag of rice in Tehran costs around 18,000 IRR on average with prices rangeing between 13,000 IRR and 26,000 IRR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
| 5,000 IRR | 6,700 IRR | 13,000 IRR |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 5,000 IRR to 13,000 IRR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
| 9,000 IRR | 12,000 IRR | 19,000 IRR |
A bag of apples costs 12,000 IRR 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 Tehran is around 30%. This means that students spend 30% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 37% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 420,000 IRR to 19M IRR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
