Iraq🇮🇶
At a Glance
How Iraq compares across key indices
Cost of Living
37 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
25/100
Healthcare
55/100
Quality of Life
80/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Iraq
Cost of Living
37
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
28
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
37
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
39
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Higher RiskHow safe residents feel in Iraq - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
25/100
Crime Index
80/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Iraq
Iraq has 98 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $762 in Az Zubayr to $1,003 in Baghdad. Al Diwaniyah leads on safety, scoring 25/100. Abū al-Kahṣīb ranks highest for quality of life at 85/200.
Az Zubayr
$762/mo
Al Diwaniyah
25/100
Abū al-Kahṣīb
85/200
Baghdad
71/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baghdad | $1,003 | 17/100 | 82/200 | 71/100 | 89 |
| Al Mawşil al Jadīdah | $872 | 21/100 | 83/200 | 63/100 | 83 |
| Al Başrah al Qadīmah | $871 | 21/100 | 83/200 | 63/100 | 83 |
| Mosul | $864 | 21/100 | 83/200 | 62/100 | 82 |
| Erbil | $862 | 22/100 | 84/200 | 62/100 | 82 |
| Basrah | $855 | 22/100 | 84/200 | 62/100 | 81 |
| Karbala | $851 | 22/100 | 84/200 | 61/100 | 81 |
| Sadr City | $851 | 22/100 | 84/200 | 61/100 | 81 |
| Kirkuk | $845 | 22/100 | 84/200 | 61/100 | 80 |
| Abū Ghurayb | $839 | 23/100 | 84/200 | 60/100 | 80 |
| Sulaymaniyah | $839 | 23/100 | 84/200 | 60/100 | 80 |
| Nasiriyah | $821 | 24/100 | 85/200 | 59/100 | 78 |
| Najaf | $815 | 24/100 | 85/200 | 58/100 | 77 |
| Al Hillah | $813 | 24/100 | 85/200 | 58/100 | 77 |
| Abū al-Kahṣīb | $804 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Al Maḩmūdīyah | $803 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Dihok | $802 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Al ‘Amārah | $800 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Al Diwaniyah | $800 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Al-Kut | $799 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 57/100 | 76 |
| Al Madīnah | $791 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 56/100 | 75 |
| Kelar | $790 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 56/100 | 75 |
| Ramadi | $786 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 56/100 | 74 |
| Al Fallūjah | $779 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 74 |
| Ash Shaţrah | $778 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Khānaqīn | $776 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Bayjī | $775 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Ash Sharqāt | $773 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Sāmarrā’ | $772 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Al Miqdādīyah | $771 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| As Samawah | $771 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Baqubah | $771 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Simele | $771 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Sumayl | $771 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 55/100 | 73 |
| Khasnahzān | $769 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 73 |
| Al Hindīyah | $767 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Al Qurnah | $766 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Baḥarkah | $765 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Sīnah | $764 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
| Az Zubayr | $762 | 25/100 | 85/200 | 54/100 | 72 |
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 Iraq
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Environment
PollutedAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Iraq
Pollution Index
76/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
38.2ug/m3
Unhealthy for sensitive
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Iraq, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Iraq?
Iraq has a cost of living index of 37 relative to New York City (100). It is significantly cheaper than the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $754 in Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah and reach $1,003 in Baghdad.
What is the cheapest city in Iraq for expats?
Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah is the most affordable city in Iraq in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $754 for a single person including rent. Al-Musayab is the next most affordable at $755/mo.
Is Iraq safe for expats?
Iraq has a safety index of 25/100, making it worth researching carefully before committing for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Al Diwaniyah scores highest on safety at 25/100.
What is the best city in Iraq for expats and digital nomads?
Abū al-Kahṣīb ranks highest for quality of life in Iraq, scoring 85/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $804/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah offers the lowest monthly costs at $754/mo.
How good is healthcare in Iraq?
Iraq scores 55/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it adequate by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Iraq cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Iraq's cost of living is roughly 63% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 72% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Iraq?
Iraq has a pollution index of 76/100 (lower = cleaner). Pollution can be a concern in urban areas. Research specific cities before committing, as rural and coastal areas typically fare better.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Iraq
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Set Up International Banking
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
Get Connected
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet - sorted before you land.
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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