Skyline of Sulaymaniyah
Cost of Living: 85 1,000,000

Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Sulaymaniyah is a major city in Iraq with a population of 1,000,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs Iraq Avg (100)

Housing Index 95

Affordable

Median Income IQD 6,000,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Sulaymaniyah vs Iraq Average

Cost of Living
Sulaymaniyah: 85
Iraq Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sulaymaniyah: 95
Iraq Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: IQD 6,000,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 1,000,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 270/year
  • Summer High: 98°F
  • Winter Low: 35°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: د.ع140,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: د.ع350000/mo

Cost of Living

Sulaymaniyah's cost of living index is 85 (Iraq average = 100).

CategorySulaymaniyahNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing95100-5.0%

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

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Priceد.ع140,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)د.ع350000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)د.ع437,500/mo
Price per Sq Ftد.ع93,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

د.ع
%
$90,000 down
%
%
د.ع

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sulaymaniyah:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricityد.ع30000
Heating & Coolingد.ع38Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)د.ع40Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Waterد.ع10000Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)د.ع25000Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilitiesد.ع65078Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

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

Remote Work Score

Sulaymaniyah scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
د.ع350000
Sunny Days
270
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
98°F / 35°F
Safety
10.0 homicides/100k
Population
1,000,000
Internet Speed
20 Mbps

Climate

Sulaymaniyah has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January55°F35°F2.5"
April83°F50°F2.8"
July98°F73°F1.5"
October78°F53°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Sulaymaniyah faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat with temperatures frequently exceeding 50°C.

Drought High Risk

Frequent droughts.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and flash floods.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • 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 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter/Eid break (1-2 weeks)

Friday is the weekly holiday. Breaks for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

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 Sulaymaniyah, Iraq?

The cost of living index in Sulaymaniyah is 85, which is Lower the Iraq national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Sulaymaniyah is د.ع140,000,000. The housing index is 95.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sulaymaniyah is approximately د.ع350000/mo.

Does Sulaymaniyah, Sulaymaniyah have income tax?

Sulaymaniyah is in Sulaymaniyah, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Sulaymaniyah?

Sulaymaniyah enjoys approximately 270 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 98°F, while winter lows can drop to around 35°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: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.