Shiraz vs Mardin: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Shiraz costs roughly 19% less than Mardin. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Shiraz is approximately 4% less expensive than Mardin based on cost of living including rent. This makes Shiraz a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Shiraz has a FIRE Score of 85/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Shiraz is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Shiraz
Shiraz is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $291/mo and a monthly public transport pass for $3. The catch is the local economy: an average net salary of $240/mo means most residents cannot afford the comfortable tier at $515/mo, so remote workers earning foreign currency get an absurd advantage here. The air quality index of 88 and limited English proficiency will test your patience, but a FIRE score of 85/100 says your savings rate will love it.
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.
$2,601/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Mardin
Mardin is a bargain hunter's dream, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $304/mo and a single adult's budget tier totaling just $251/mo, but that $450/mo average net salary means you had better arrive with remote income or savings. The 76/100 expat score and 78/100 FIRE score flatter a city where the expat community is small, English proficiency is limited, and healthcare quality is only fair. Summers above 38°C and an air quality index of 72 will test anyone chasing cheap rent for its own sake. Come for the Old City's stone architecture and stay only if you can tolerate a 20 Mbps connection and a 53/100 retiree score.
About Turkey
Best for digital nomads meeting the $3,000/mo income requirement for Turkey’s dedicated visa. COL is 61% lower than NYC with a single monthly budget of $646.20 excluding rent. However, internists and a moderate political stability score pose risks for long-term stays.
$2,590/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Shiraz | Mardin |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $291 | $304.01 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $221 | $202.68 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $535.5 | $506.69 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $321.4 | $304.01 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 60Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Shiraz | Mardin |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $419/mo | $474/mo |
| Excluding rent | $198/mo | $271/mo |
| Rent | $221/mo | $203/mo |
| Groceries | $70.00/mo | $74.00/mo |
| Dining out | $45.00/mo | $71.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $37.00/mo | $58.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $43.00/mo | $68.00/mo |
| Transport | $3.00/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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Shiraz vs Mardin -- Frequently Asked Questions
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