Rasht vs Baghdad: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Rasht costs roughly 19% less than Baghdad. Baghdad leads on digital nomad infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Baghdad is approximately 42% less expensive than Rasht based on cost of living including rent. This makes Baghdad a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Baghdad has a FIRE Score of 75/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 40, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Baghdad is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Rasht
Rasht is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom city center apartment at $213/mo and utilities at just $13/mo, but the average monthly net salary of $213/mo means locals and expats alike are scraping by. The FIRE score of 81/100 is the standout number, yet a retiree score of 53/100, a digital nomad score of 51/100, and an expat community size of Very Few tell you this is not a soft landing for newcomers. Add limited English proficiency, fair healthcare, and 18 Mbps internet, and Rasht suits budget-driven savers who can handle the isolation, not anyone chasing comfort or connection.
About Iran
Rock-bottom rent under $300/mo suits only the most niche case: someone with existing ties or business reasons to be in Iran who can tolerate a Level 4 do-not-travel advisory and no digital nomad visa or retirement visa path. That cost advantage means little against a low ease-of-access evaluation and limited English-speaking healthcare. Bad fit: anyone prioritizing safety data, easy residency, or an expat support network.
$2,695/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
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City Details
About Baghdad
Baghdad is a cheap place to live and not much else, with a cost of living index of 35/100 and a 1-bedroom in the center at $150/mo, yet a safety index of 40/100 and an air quality index of 120 make daily life a grind. The local average net salary of $500/mo keeps most people on a tight leash, and a small expat community plus limited English proficiency means you are largely on your own. The FIRE score of 75/100 is the one genuine draw, but a retiree score of 46/100 and an overall expat score of 50/100 tell the real story. Come for the math, not the lifestyle.
About Iraq
A Level 4 do-not-travel advisory, the same rating given to active war zones, outweighs the $521.80 monthly budget that undercuts most US rents alone. No retirement or digital nomad visa exists, English is scarce, and the expat friendliness is not measured in the available data. Cheap living means nothing without a legal pathway or basic safety floor. Skip this one entirely.
$2,687/mo
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Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Rasht | Baghdad |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $213.33 | $150 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $155 | $50 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $383.33 | $450 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $210 | $150 |
| Safety Index | 62 | 40 |
| Internet Speed | 18Mbps | 25Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Rasht | Baghdad |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $323/mo | $374/mo |
| Excluding rent | $168/mo | $324/mo |
| Rent | $155/mo | $50.00/mo |
| Groceries | $64.00/mo | $85.00/mo |
| Dining out | $38.00/mo | $75.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $37.00/mo | $99.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $18.00/mo | $65.00/mo |
| Transport | $11.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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