OverviewAt a GlanceCost of LivingSafetyCitiesHealthcareEnvironmentFAQBefore You Go

Iran🇮🇷

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At a Glance

How Iran compares across key indices

Quality of Life80Safety25Healthcare66Affordability25ClimateClean Air65

Cost of Living

25 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

25/100

Healthcare

66/100

Quality of Life

80/200

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Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Iran

Cost of Living

25

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

19

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

25

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

26

100 = NYC dining

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Side-by-side comparison with another country

Safety & Crime

Higher Risk

How safe residents feel in Iran - based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

25/100

Crime Index

80/100

Lower is better

Walking Safety

Daytime100
Nighttime100

0 point drop from day to night

Cities in Iran

Iran has 371 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $539 in Āmol to $687 in Tehran. Shahrīār leads on safety, scoring 25/100. Mashhad ranks highest for quality of life at 85/200.

💸Most Affordable

Āmol

$539/mo

Safest

Shahrīār

25/100

Best Quality of Life

Mashhad

85/200

Best Healthcare

Tehran

82/100

City filter
Featured
Curated and popular cities first.
40 of 371 shown
CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Tehran$68717/10084/20082/10078
Mashhad$60021/10085/20074/10072
Isfahan$58922/10085/20073/10070
Karaj$58822/10085/20073/10070
Tabriz$58722/10085/20073/10070
Shiraz$58422/10085/20072/10069
Qom$57523/10085/20071/10068
Ahvaz$57323/10085/20071/10068
Kermanshah$56524/10085/20070/10066
Rasht$56424/10085/20070/10066
Kerman$56324/10085/20070/10066
Orūmīyeh$56324/10085/20070/10066
Zahedan$56224/10085/20070/10066
Hamadān$56124/10085/20069/10066
Āzādshahr$56024/10085/20069/10066
Arāk$55924/10085/20069/10066
Yazd$55824/10085/20069/10065
Eslamshahr$55724/10085/20069/10065
Ardabīl$55424/10085/20069/10065
Abadan$55225/10085/20068/10064
Zanjan$55025/10085/20068/10064
Bandar Abbas$55025/10085/20068/10064
Sanandaj$55025/10085/20068/10064
Qazvin$54925/10085/20068/10064
Khorramshahr$54825/10085/20068/10064
Khorramabad$54825/10085/20068/10064
Shahrīār$54725/10085/20068/10064
Qods$54725/10085/20068/10064
Khomeynī Shahr$54425/10085/20067/10063
Dezfūl$54325/10085/20067/10063
Marāgheh$54225/10085/20067/10063
Marāgheh$54225/10085/20067/10063
Sari$54225/10085/20067/10063
Borūjerd$54125/10085/20067/10063
Qarchak$54125/10085/20067/10063
Gorgān$54025/10085/20067/10063
Golestān$54025/10085/20067/10063
Āmol$53925/10085/20067/10063
Pākdasht$53925/10085/20067/10063
Najafābād$53925/10085/20067/10063

Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Iran

Healthcare66Safety25Quality of Life80
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Iran

Pollution Index

65/100

Lower is better

PM2.5

32.3ug/m3

Unhealthy for sensitive

Environmental Quality

Air Quality100/100

Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Iran, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Iran?

Iran has a cost of living index of 25 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $517 in Pārsābād and reach $687 in Tehran.

What is the cheapest city in Iran for expats?

Pārsābād is the most affordable city in Iran in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $517 for a single person including rent. Lāhījān is the next most affordable at $517/mo.

Is Iran safe for expats?

Iran has a safety index of 25/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Shahrīār scores highest on safety at 25/100.

What is the best city in Iran for expats and digital nomads?

Mashhad ranks highest for quality of life in Iran, scoring 85/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $600/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Pārsābād offers the lowest monthly costs at $517/mo.

How good is healthcare in Iran?

Iran scores 66/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.

Is Iran cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Iran's cost of living is roughly 75% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 81% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Iran

Plan Your Move

Where Can I Move?

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Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.

Cost of Living

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Set Up International Banking

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Get Connected

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Book Your First Accommodation

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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources

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