Cost of Living in Iran

Updated: January 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to Iran, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Iran?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Iran and whether the reported $1163 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $376.99.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

Iran

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	4.5 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	28.41 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	4.6 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	--
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	--
Cappuccino (regular)	1.63 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	0.88 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.64 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	0.96 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	0.62 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	3.64 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	1.47 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	4.98 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	3.81 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	10.13 $
Apples (1 lb)	1.18 $
Banana (1 lb)	1.56 $
Oranges (1 lb)	1.12 $
Tomato (1 lb)	0.77 $
Potato (1 lb)	0.64 $
Onion (1 lb)	0.58 $
Lettuce (1 head)	0.65 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	0.39 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	--
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	--
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	--
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	2.5 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	0.36 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	15.0 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	0.5 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	0.36 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	3.0 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	0.62 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	65000.0 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	61366.92 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	30.04 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.02 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	18.16 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	25.25 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	15.39 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	3.0 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	116.74 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	1379.23 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	53.0 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	48.93 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	185.99 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	97.29 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	465.96 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	309.02 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	1131.1 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	707.18 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	1784.68 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	1048.78 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	376.99 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	20.13 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 4.5 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 28.41 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 0.96 USD, a loaf of bread 0.62 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.47 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.36 USD and a monthly pass around 15.0 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 30.04 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 25.25 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 15.39 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 116.74 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 1379.23 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 53.0 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 185.99 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 465.96 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 309.02 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 1784.68 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 1048.78 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 376.99 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 20.13% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in Iran

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Overall, Iran is safe to visit when it comes to the crime rate but you have to avoid some very dangerous parts of the country if you want to have a safe trip.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

You should be careful while on the road, as accidents while driving are known to happen frequently. The roads aren't all bad and they vary from being in an excellent condition to being in a very poor condition. However, there are other factors that make driving in Iran dangerous, such as poorly lit roads, reckless drivers that ignore traffic signs, etc. There is also a risk of being attacked by pirates operating in the Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpockets are definitely an issue in this country and you should keep in mind that they operate mostly in the overcrowded bazaars and public transports. Remain vigilant at all times and leave your most valuable belongings in your accommodation.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Among natural disasters that are known to hit Iran are extremely high temperatures sometimes exceeding 50C, sandstorms that are a regular occurrence, and severe sandstorms that occur sporadically. Earthquakes are also a threat.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Except in the tourist area of Isfahan, where mugging has been on the rise lately, this isn't generally a concern in Iran. Make sure you only take licensed taxis as 90% of muggings occur in unlicensed ones.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Terrorists are likely to carry out attacks in Iran. The threat is believed to be coming from the Sunni extremist groups, which are probably the perpetrators of several bombings that have taken place in the south-eastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There are almost no known scams in Iran. Still, just in case, be wary of people trying to distract you or offering you unwanted help, check your change twice and always negotiate every service beforehand.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Many women have traveled to Iran without having any negative experiences. Generally speaking, it is no more dangerous in Iran than in most European countries, Australia or USA. Still, you should be very vigilant if you're traveling alone and always apply basic precaution measures you would in your own country.

Cost of Living in Iran

Iran

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing