Tehran vs Shiraz: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Tehran costs roughly 31% less than Shiraz. Shiraz has significantly faster average internet speeds (60 Mbps vs 21 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Shiraz is approximately 46% less expensive than Tehran 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 Tehran
Tehran is a bargain hunter's paradise on paper, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $426/mo and utilities at just $13/mo, but the average local net salary of $211/mo means expats on local wages will struggle badly. The air quality index of 145 is a genuine health concern, and English proficiency is limited, so daily life demands some Persian or a lot of patience. Still, a FIRE score of 86/100 and a safety index of 65/100 make it a compelling long-term base for remote workers who can earn outside the country. Come for the absurdly low costs and the Elahieh, Niavaran, and Jordan neighborhoods, not for clean air or easy conversation.
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.
$2,560/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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
Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Tehran | Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $425.52 | $291 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $266.92 | $221 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $956.36 | $535.5 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $633.64 | $321.4 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 65 |
| Internet Speed | 21.3Mbps | 60Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Tehran | Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $460/mo | $419/mo |
| Excluding rent | $193/mo | $198/mo |
| Rent | $267/mo | $221/mo |
| Groceries | $86.00/mo | $70.00/mo |
| Dining out | $38.00/mo | $45.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $45.00/mo | $37.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $18.00/mo | $43.00/mo |
| Transport | $6.00/mo | $3.00/mo |
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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