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The Cost of Living in Mosul: Monthly Budget Breakdown

@Tobias King2/8/2026blog
The Cost of Living in Mosul: Monthly Budget Breakdown

so i've been living in mosul for a few months now, and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. the city's got a certain energy to it, but it's not without its challenges. i mean, have you seen the news lately? it's like, safety first, you know? but anyway, i wanted to break down my monthly budget for you, because i know some of you are considering making the move.

first of all, rent is a big one. i'm paying around 150,000 iqd (that's iraqi dinar, btw) per month for a one-bedroom apartment in a decent area. it's not the cheapest, but it's worth it for the security. speaking of which, i've got a friend who's a freelance photographer, and she's always on the lookout for new shots. she told me that mosul's got some amazing scenery, from the ancient mosques to the tigris river.

white and green dome building under blue sky during daytime

food's another big expense. i mean, you can get a decent meal at a local restaurant for around 5,000 iqd, but if you're looking for something a bit fancier, you're looking at more like 20,000 iqd. and don't even get me started on the weather - it's like, boiling hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. i'm not even kidding, it's like the city's trying to extremes-test you or something. but hey, at least we've got some awesome neighbors, right? i mean, turkey and syria are just a short drive away, and dubai is only a short flight.

an old photo of a man standing on a cliff

so here's my monthly budget breakdown: rent: 150,000 iqd food: 300,000 iqd transportation: 50,000 iqd utilities: 20,000 iqd * miscellaneous: 100,000 iqd total: 620,000 iqd it's not cheap, but it's worth it for the experience. and hey, if you're looking for some advice, i'd say check out the mosul subreddit for some honest reviews from locals. or, you know, just take a look at tripadvisor for some more touristy advice. either way, just be careful, okay? it's not all sunshine and rainbows here. oh, and one more thing - if you're looking for a good place to grab a coffee, i'd recommend checking out yelp for some top-rated spots.


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About the author: Tobias King

Student of life, taking notes for everyone else.

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