Cost of Living in Iraq (2026)

COL Index: 28.6% of U.S. national average · Updated for 2026

Cost of Living Index

28.6%

vs U.S. average (100%)

Relative Cost

Very Low

Compared to U.S.

Currency

IQD

Salary Data

10 Jobs

Top 10 highest paying

Top 10 Jobs in Iraq — COL-Adjusted Salaries

Rank	Job Title	Local Salary	COL-Adjusted (IQD)
1	Surgeons / Doctors	3,224,615–10,547,179 IQD/mo	11,275,170–36,877,810 IQD/mo
2	Judges	2,709,573–8,867,692 IQD/mo	9,473,920–31,006,390 IQD/mo
3	Lawyers	2,194,530–7,188,205 IQD/mo	7,672,670–25,133,660 IQD/mo
4	Bank Managers	2,066,889–6,762,735 IQD/mo	7,227,270–23,645,500 IQD/mo
5	Chief Executive Officers	1,937,009–6,337,265 IQD/mo	6,772,700–22,158,650 IQD/mo
6	Chief Financial Officers	1,807,128–5,911,795 IQD/mo	6,318,130–20,670,490 IQD/mo
7	Orthodontists	1,742,188–5,710,256 IQD/mo	6,091,500–19,965,710 IQD/mo
8	College Professors	1,549,607–5,060,855 IQD/mo	5,418,160–17,695,480 IQD/mo
9	Pilots	1,292,085–4,232,308 IQD/mo	4,518,190–14,797,760 IQD/mo
10	Marketing Directors	1,162,205–3,806,838 IQD/mo	4,063,620–13,310,910 IQD/mo

* COL-adjusted salary is shown in IQD, restated at the purchasing power implied by the cost of living index for Iraq.

Salary vs. Cost of Living by Category in Iraq

Category	Avg. Salary (Local)	COL-Adjusted (IQD)	Purchasing Power
AI & Machine Learning	3,103,692 IQD	10,852,040 IQD	+250%
Finance & Accounting	3,067,863 IQD	10,726,280 IQD	+250%
Business Administration	3,419,436 IQD	11,956,370 IQD	+250%
Advertising	2,598,950 IQD	9,087,470 IQD	+250%
Architecture	2,636,795 IQD	9,219,780 IQD	+250%
Automotive & Car Industry	2,542,296 IQD	8,889,660 IQD	+250%
Aviation	3,130,564 IQD	10,946,360 IQD	+250%
Banking	3,676,957 IQD	12,856,340 IQD	+250%
Construction	2,515,872 IQD	8,796,650 IQD	+250%
Counseling	2,506,019 IQD	8,762,590 IQD	+250%
Customer Service	2,015,161 IQD	7,046,490 IQD	+250%
Education & Teaching	2,631,644 IQD	9,201,440 IQD	+250%
Energy	2,859,607 IQD	9,999,230 IQD	+250%
Engineering	2,400,323 IQD	8,393,170 IQD	+250%
Manufacturing	2,743,162 IQD	9,591,820 IQD	+250%
Fitness & Sports	1,824,819 IQD	6,381,010 IQD	+250%
Hospitality	2,609,699 IQD	9,125,460 IQD	+250%
Healthcare	6,791,846 IQD	23,747,680 IQD	+250%
Human Resources	2,535,802 IQD	8,866,080 IQD	+250%
Import & Export	1,970,150 IQD	6,889,290 IQD	+250%
Insurance	2,852,889 IQD	9,975,650 IQD	+250%
Information Technology	2,584,171 IQD	9,035,070 IQD	+250%
Law & Legal Services	4,003,897 IQD	13,999,970 IQD	+250%
Marketing	2,812,581 IQD	9,834,170 IQD	+250%
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology	3,623,214 IQD	12,669,010 IQD	+250%
Public Relations	2,355,761 IQD	8,237,280 IQD	+250%
Procurement	2,601,862 IQD	9,097,950 IQD	+250%
Quality Control	2,284,103 IQD	7,985,760 IQD	+250%
Real Estate	3,025,316 IQD	10,578,250 IQD	+250%
Sales	3,065,624 IQD	10,718,420 IQD	+250%
Telecommunications	2,280,072 IQD	7,972,660 IQD	+250%

Cost of Living in Iraq — Overview

The cost of living in Iraq is 28.6% of the U.S. national average. This makes Iraq a more affordable destination compared to the United States. Your salary goes further here, especially for housing, food, and services.

Purchasing Power in Iraq

A salary with the purchasing power of the U.S. national average works out at approximately 458,041,500 IQD in Iraq for the same standard of living. This means your money goes further in Iraq, making it an attractive destination for remote workers and expats.

Cost of Living Categories in Iraq

Housing

Housing in countries with a cost index of 28.6% tends to be the largest expense, often consuming 30-40% of income. Rent, utilities, and property costs vary significantly between urban and rural areas.

Food

Groceries and dining out in countries at 28.6% COL can vary widely. Local markets offer lower prices while imported goods cost more. Cooking at home is generally more affordable.

Transportation

Public transit and fuel costs in a 28.6% COL country. Many countries have efficient public transportation systems that reduce the need for personal vehicles.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs and insurance in 28.6% COL countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Education

Education and childcare costs vary greatly with COL index. Public education is often subsidized while international schools charge premium fees.

Utilities

Electricity, water, internet, and other essential services. Weather patterns affect utility usage and costs significantly.

Clothing

Apparel costs in 28.6% COL environments. Imported brands cost more while local clothing is generally affordable.

Entertainment

Leisure activities and entertainment expenses. Costs for cinema, dining, and recreational activities scale with the overall COL index.

Salary Overview — Top 10 Jobs

Monthly salary in IQD · singhyogendra.com.np

Surgeons / Doctors3,224,615 – 10,547,1796,885,897 IQD
Judges2,709,573 – 8,867,6925,788,633 IQD
Lawyers2,194,530 – 7,188,2054,691,368 IQD
Bank Managers2,066,889 – 6,762,7354,414,812 IQD
Chief Executive Officers1,937,009 – 6,337,2654,137,137 IQD
Chief Financial Officers1,807,128 – 5,911,7953,859,462 IQD
Orthodontists1,742,188 – 5,710,2563,726,222 IQD
College Professors1,549,607 – 5,060,8553,305,231 IQD
Pilots1,292,085 – 4,232,3082,762,197 IQD
Marketing Directors1,162,205 – 3,806,8382,484,522 IQD

singhyogendra.com.np

Top Paying Jobs in Iraq

See the full list of highest paying careers and salaries in Iraq.

Best Paying Jobs in Iraq

Take-Home Pay in Iraq

Estimate your after-tax salary and see how much you keep after deductions in Iraq.

Take-Home Pay in Iraq

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Iraq?

The cost of living in Iraq is 28.6% of the U.S. national average. This means it is less expensive than living in the average U.S. city.

How is the cost of living in Iraq calculated?

The cost of living index is based on prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services compared to the U.S. national average of 100.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Iraq?

Salaries in Iraq should be adjusted by the cost of living index to keep the same purchasing power. A salary equivalent to the U.S. national average corresponds to roughly 458,041,500 IQD in Iraq.