Cost of Living: Iraq vs France

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Iraq and France.

Data updated: September 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Iraq is 69.0% cheaper than France. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 85.4% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in France, you would spend about $31 in Iraq for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 85.4%

Iraq is 85.4% cheaper

Property Prices 83.4%

Iraq is 83.4% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 79.2%

Iraq is 79.2% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 69.0%

Iraq is 69.0% cheaper than France

Most Expensive Categories

Is Iraq cheaper than France?

Yes, Iraq is cheaper than France

Overall, living costs in Iraq are 69.0% lower than in France.

Where Iraq is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 85.4% cheaper
  • Property Prices 83.4% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 79.2% cheaper

Where Iraq is more expensive:

No significant cost disadvantages found.

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Iraq: 4.58 $ France: 17.07 $
73.2% cheaper in Iraq

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Iraq: 307.67 $ France: 875.36 $
64.9% cheaper in Iraq

Monthly public transport pass

Iraq: 33.19 $ France: 70.58 $
53.0% cheaper in Iraq

1 liter of gasoline

Iraq: 0.61 $ France: 2.04 $
70.1% cheaper in Iraq

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Iraq is indeed cheaper than France. You would save approximately 69.0% on living expenses by choosing Iraq over France. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

69.0%

Iraq is 69.0% cheaper than France

Restaurants

62.1%

Iraq is 62.1% cheaper than France in this category

Markets

56.9%

Iraq is 56.9% cheaper than France in this category

Other Expenses

85.4%

Iraq is 85.4% cheaper than France in this category

Transportation

48.5%

Iraq is 48.5% cheaper than France in this category

Household Utilities

53.9%

Iraq is 53.9% cheaper than France in this category

Mobile and Internet

12.7%

Iraq is 12.7% cheaper than France in this category

Sports And Leisure

17.6%

Iraq is 17.6% cheaper than France in this category

Childcare

78.4%

Iraq is 78.4% cheaper than France in this category

Clothing And Shoes

61.3%

Iraq is 61.3% cheaper than France in this category

Rent Per Month

68.0%

Iraq is 68.0% cheaper than France in this category

Property Prices

83.4%

Iraq is 83.4% cheaper than France in this category

Salaries And Financing

79.2%

Iraq is 79.2% cheaper than France in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Iraq France Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 4.58 $ 17.07 $ 73.2%
Iraq is 73.2% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 22.90 $ 68.30 $ 66.5%
Iraq is 66.5% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.11 $ 12.52 $ 51.2%
Iraq is 51.2% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.22 $ 3.63 $ 38.8%
Iraq is 38.8% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.40 $ 3.19 $ 87.5%
Iraq is 87.5% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.20 $ 2.21 $ 91.0%
Iraq is 91.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.52 $ 0.78 $ 33.3%
Iraq is 33.3% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 5.69 $ ? N/A
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.66 $ 3.33 $ 20.1%
Iraq is 20.1% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 6.83 $ 11.38 $ 40.0%
Iraq is 40.0% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.77 $ ? N/A
Milk (1L) 1.26 $ 1.31 $ 3.8%
Iraq is 3.8% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.83 $ 2.04 $ 59.3%
Iraq is 59.3% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.58 $ 2.59 $ 39.0%
Iraq is 39.0% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.77 $ 4.29 $ 58.7%
Iraq is 58.7% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 5.08 $ 20.08 $ 74.7%
Iraq is 74.7% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 4.24 $ 13.86 $ 69.4%
Iraq is 69.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 12.85 $ 21.30 $ 39.7%
Iraq is 39.7% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 1.05 $ 3.12 $ 66.3%
Iraq is 66.3% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.14 $ 2.33 $ 51.1%
Iraq is 51.1% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.02 $ 3.10 $ 67.1%
Iraq is 67.1% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 0.68 $ 3.63 $ 81.3%
Iraq is 81.3% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.65 $ 2.35 $ 72.3%
Iraq is 72.3% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.64 $ 2.45 $ 73.9%
Iraq is 73.9% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.61 $ 1.57 $ 61.1%
Iraq is 61.1% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 33.19 $ 70.58 $ 53.0%
Iraq is 53.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.99 $ 13.66 $ 85.4%
Iraq is 85.4% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.38 $ 2.16 $ 82.4%
Iraq is 82.4% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 2.29 $ 5.46 $ 58.1%
Iraq is 58.1% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.72 $ 2.28 $ 24.6%
Iraq is 24.6% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 5.97 $ 37.22 $ 84.0%
Iraq is 84.0% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.61 $ 2.04 $ 70.1%
Iraq is 70.1% cheaper
New Economy Car 17,921.76 $ 36,876.07 $ 51.4%
Iraq is 51.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 19,711.87 $ 36,162.84 $ 45.5%
Iraq is 45.5% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 97.27 $ 210.87 $ 53.9%
Iraq is 53.9% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 19.64 $ 25.59 $ 23.3%
Iraq is 23.3% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 32.57 $ 34.21 $ 4.8%
Iraq is 4.8% cheaper
Gym Membership 35.26 $ 37.20 $ 5.2%
Iraq is 5.2% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 14.23 $ 18.42 $ 22.7%
Iraq is 22.7% cheaper
Movie Ticket 7.63 $ 13.66 $ 44.1%
Iraq is 44.1% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 131.97 $ 800.37 $ 83.5%
Iraq is 83.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 2,544.26 $ 11,595.44 $ 78.1%
Iraq is 78.1% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 23.71 $ 102.59 $ 76.9%
Iraq is 76.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 27.85 $ 43.82 $ 36.4%
Iraq is 36.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 58.18 $ 104.20 $ 44.2%
Iraq is 44.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 40.61 $ 138.28 $ 70.6%
Iraq is 70.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 307.67 $ 875.36 $ 64.9%
Iraq is 64.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 200.92 $ 692.40 $ 71.0%
Iraq is 71.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 548.06 $ 1,634.03 $ 66.5%
Iraq is 66.5% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 382.11 $ 1,289.02 $ 70.4%
Iraq is 70.4% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 1,201.52 $ 6,484.72 $ 81.5%
Iraq is 81.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 606.29 $ 4,425.62 $ 86.3%
Iraq is 86.3% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 552.52 $ 2,687.45 $ 79.4%
Iraq is 79.4% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 8.23 3.66 124.9%
Iraq is 124.9% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to France. Enter your monthly expenses in Iraq to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Iraq and France goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Iraq vs France

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Iraq

France

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Iraq Cost of living in France

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