Skyline of Arak
Cost of Living: 72 600,000

Arak, Iran

Arak is a major city in Iran with a population of 600,000.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Arak is a city in Markazi with a population of 600,000. Arak is a major city in Iran with a population of 600,000. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, with about 260 sunny days a year. The population skews young, with a median age of 33.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 72

Below Average vs Iran Avg (100)

Housing Index 78

Affordable

Median Income ﷼ 78,000,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Arak vs Iran Average

Cost of Living
Arak: 72
Iran Avg: 100
Housing Index
Arak: 78
Iran Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 9.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ﷼ 78,000,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 600,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 28°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: ﷼3,200,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: ﷼8000000/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Arak's cost of living index is 72 (Iran average = 100).

CategoryArakNational AverageDifference
Overall72100-28.0%
Housing78100-22.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price﷼3,200,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)﷼8000000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)﷼10,000,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft﷼2,133,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

﷼
%
$90,000 down
%
%
﷼

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Arak:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity﷼500000
Heating & Cooling﷼61Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)﷼16Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water﷼200000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)﷼500000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities﷼1200077Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Arak scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 72
Rent
— ﷼8000000
Sunny Days
— 260
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 92°F / 28°F
Safety
— 2.5 homicides/100k
Population
— 600,000
Internet Speed
— 15 Mbps

Climate

Arak has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January48°F28°F2.5"
April77°F43°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F46°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Arak faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat in lowland regions.

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Drought High Risk

Frequent droughts in much of the country.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous region (Zagros, Alborz) with landslides.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms in southern and eastern regions.

Avalanche High Risk

Zagros and Alborz mountains with avalanches.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Mountainous regions experience severe winter.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 9%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break March (2 weeks, Nowruz)
Spring Break Nowruz (Persian New Year) in March (2 weeks)

Nowruz holiday is the longest break after summer. Saturday to Wednesday school week.

Universities & Higher Education

4
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Arak is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Arab
2.0%
Azerbaijani
16.0%
Kurd
10.0%
Lur
6.0%
Other
5.0%
Persian
61.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
25.0%
High school graduate
30.0%
Less than high school
30.0%
Some college
15.0%

Religion

Muslim (Shia)
90.0%
Muslim (Sunni)
9.0%
Other
1.0%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Statistical Centre of Iran (2016)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Arak, Iran?

The cost of living index in Arak is 72, which is Lower the Iran national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Arak?

The median home price in Arak is ﷼3,200,000,000. The housing index is 78.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Arak is approximately ﷼8000000/mo.

Does Arak, Markazi have income tax?

Arak is in Markazi, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Arak?

Arak enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 28°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.