Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Iran Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Iran Property Pack
If you're thinking about retiring in Iran, you're probably wondering how much money you actually need to live there comfortably in 2026.
This guide breaks down the real costs of living in Iran, from bare-minimum survival budgets to luxury retirement lifestyles, with current housing prices that we update regularly.
We cover everything from Tehran apartment rents and healthcare costs to visa requirements and property buying options for foreigners.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Iran.
How much money do I need to retire in Iran right now?
What's the absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Iran?
The absolute minimum monthly budget to survive in Iran as a single retiree is roughly $500 to $700 (about 460 to 645 EUR) in smaller cities, or $700 to $950 (about 645 to 875 EUR) if you live in Tehran.
At this minimum level in Iran, your budget covers a small one-bedroom apartment outside the city center, home-cooked meals almost every day, basic public transportation, and occasional visits to local clinics for routine health issues.
Living on this tight budget in Iran means you'll need to skip dining out, limit taxi use, avoid expensive neighborhoods like North Tehran, and handle most healthcare costs out-of-pocket without comprehensive insurance coverage.
What lifestyle do I get with $2,000/month in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, a budget of $2,000 per month (roughly 1,840 EUR) in Iran gives you a comfortable middle-class lifestyle in most cities, including a solid quality of life in Tehran.
With $2,000 per month in Tehran, you can rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in desirable neighborhoods like Vanak, Yusef Abad, or Sattarkhan for around $600 to $800 (550 to 735 EUR), or a modest two-bedroom further from the center.
This budget in Iran allows you to mix home cooking with eating out several times a week at local restaurants, take regular taxis, visit the bazaars, enjoy tea houses, and even plan occasional domestic trips to cities like Isfahan or Shiraz.
The main limitation at $2,000 per month in Iran is that premium North Tehran neighborhoods remain out of reach, and you'll still need to be mindful of healthcare costs since building a strong medical emergency fund takes time at this level.
What lifestyle do I get with $3,000/month in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, $3,000 per month (roughly 2,760 EUR) in Iran provides a very comfortable lifestyle almost anywhere in the country, and an upper-middle-class standard in Tehran.
At $3,000 per month in Tehran, you can afford a two-bedroom apartment in nicer neighborhoods like Sa'adat Abad, Shahrak-e Gharb, or Pasdaran, with monthly rents around $800 to $1,200 (735 to 1,105 EUR) depending on the building quality and exact location.
This budget in Iran opens up frequent dining at quality restaurants, gym memberships, regular domestic travel to destinations like the Caspian coast or Persepolis, and comfortable access to private healthcare for routine checkups and treatments.
The key upgrade from $2,000 to $3,000 per month in Iran is the ability to build a meaningful healthcare cushion while still enjoying lifestyle extras, so unexpected medical costs or currency swings don't force you to cut back on daily comforts.
What lifestyle do I get with $5,000/month in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, $5,000 per month (roughly 4,600 EUR) delivers high-comfort living in premium Tehran areas, while $10,000 per month (roughly 9,200 EUR) puts you firmly in expat-luxury territory with maximum flexibility.
At $5,000 per month in Tehran, you can rent spacious apartments in prestigious North Tehran neighborhoods like Niavaran, Tajrish, or Elahiyeh for $1,500 to $2,500 (1,380 to 2,300 EUR), while $10,000 per month unlocks prime areas like Fereshteh, Zafaraniyeh, or Sahebgharanieh with premium furnishings and services.
In the $5,000 to $10,000 range in Iran, you gain access to high-end private medical clinics, personal drivers, frequent fine dining, international-standard gyms, and the financial cushion to absorb any currency volatility or inflation spikes without adjusting your daily routine.
How much for a "comfortable" retirement in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, a comfortable retirement budget for a single person in Iran is roughly $2,500 per month (about 2,300 EUR) in Tehran, or around $1,800 per month (about 1,655 EUR) in other major cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, or Tabriz.
We recommend adding a safety buffer of 25% on top of your comfortable budget in Iran, which means an extra $625 (575 EUR) monthly in Tehran or $450 (415 EUR) in other cities, to protect against the country's high inflation and currency fluctuations.
A comfortable retirement budget in Iran covers things a basic budget does not, including regular dining out, private healthcare visits with a meaningful emergency fund, leisure activities like gym memberships, domestic travel, and a cushion so that rent or food price increases don't force immediate lifestyle changes.
How much for a "luxury" retirement in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, a luxury retirement in Iran requires roughly $6,500 per month (about 5,980 EUR) for high-end living, or $8,000 to $10,000 per month (7,360 to 9,200 EUR) for a "no-stress" luxury lifestyle with maximum financial resilience.
Luxury retirement in Iran means premium apartments in North Tehran with modern amenities, private drivers, top-tier private healthcare, frequent fine dining at upscale restaurants, and enough financial buffer to cover any inflation or currency surprises without blinking.
The most popular neighborhoods among retirees seeking luxury in Iran are Fereshteh, Zafaraniyeh, Niavaran, Elahiyeh, and Sahebgharanieh in North Tehran, all known for tree-lined streets, embassies, high-end shops, and quiet residential atmospheres.
The main advantage of a luxury budget beyond comfort in Iran is peace of mind: you're fully insulated from the economic volatility that affects day-to-day life, and you can access the best private medical care without worrying about costs or waiting times.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Iran. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What are the real monthly expenses for retirees in Iran in 2026?
What is a realistic monthly budget breakdown by category in Iran?
A realistic monthly budget breakdown for a comfortable retiree in Tehran (around $2,500 or 2,300 EUR total) looks like this: rent $800 (735 EUR), utilities and internet $100 (92 EUR), food $500 (460 EUR), transport $150 (138 EUR), healthcare $200 (184 EUR), leisure and household $250 (230 EUR), and contingency buffer $500 (460 EUR).
Housing costs in Iran typically consume 30% to 35% of a retiree's total monthly budget, which in Tehran means roughly $750 to $900 (690 to 830 EUR) for a decent one-bedroom in a comfortable neighborhood.
Food and groceries in Iran usually take up 15% to 25% of the monthly budget, translating to about $400 to $600 (370 to 550 EUR) depending on how often you dine out versus cook at home.
The budget category that varies most in Iran is healthcare spending, because out-of-pocket costs can range from $50 (46 EUR) for a healthy month to several hundred dollars if you need specialist visits, tests, or medications.
What fees surprise foreigners most after moving to Iran?
The top three fees that catch foreigners off guard in Iran are currency exchange friction and access costs (the gap between official and market rates can significantly affect your purchasing power), large upfront rent deposits that landlords often require (sometimes 6 to 12 months in advance), and out-of-pocket healthcare costs even when you have insurance.
When first arriving in Iran, foreigners should budget for one-time setup costs including visa fees (varying by nationality, typically $50 to $200 or 46 to 184 EUR), initial rent deposit (often $2,000 to $6,000 or 1,840 to 5,520 EUR depending on the apartment), SIM card and internet setup ($30 to $50 or 28 to 46 EUR), and basic household items if renting unfurnished.
What's the average rent for a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Tehran ranges from $150 to $600 (140 to 550 EUR), while a two-bedroom typically costs $400 to $1,000 (370 to 920 EUR), with prices varying dramatically by neighborhood and building quality.
For a one-bedroom in Tehran, budget neighborhoods like Tehranpars, Narmak, or areas near Azadi offer rents from $150 to $300 (140 to 275 EUR), while desirable central areas like Vanak or Yusef Abad range from $400 to $600 (370 to 550 EUR), and premium North Tehran locations can exceed $800 (735 EUR).
For a two-bedroom in Tehran, affordable areas start around $300 to $500 (275 to 460 EUR), mid-range neighborhoods like Sa'adat Abad or Shahrak-e Gharb run $600 to $900 (550 to 830 EUR), and upscale districts like Elahiyeh or Fereshteh can reach $1,200 or more (1,105 EUR or more).
Retirees seeking affordable rent with decent quality of life in Iran often find the best value in neighborhoods like Sattarkhan, Tehranpars, or parts of West Tehran, where you get reasonable access to amenities without paying the North Tehran premium.
What do utilities cost monthly in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, total monthly utilities for a typical one-bedroom retiree apartment in Tehran cost roughly $50 to $120 (46 to 110 EUR), with the range depending on the season and your usage of heating or air conditioning.
Breaking down utilities in Iran, electricity typically runs $20 to $50 (18 to 46 EUR) per month, water costs $5 to $15 (5 to 14 EUR), and natural gas for cooking and heating ranges from $15 to $50 (14 to 46 EUR) depending on winter usage.
Internet service in Iran costs about $15 to $30 (14 to 28 EUR) per month for a reliable home connection, while a mobile phone plan with data runs $10 to $25 (9 to 23 EUR), bringing your total connectivity costs to roughly $25 to $55 (23 to 51 EUR) monthly.
What's the monthly food and transportation budget for one person in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person in Iran should budget roughly $230 to $800 (210 to 735 EUR) per month combined for food and transportation, depending on lifestyle choices between frugal home cooking and frequent dining out or taxi use.
For groceries in Iran, a single retiree cooking mostly at home can manage on $150 to $250 (140 to 230 EUR) per month, covering fresh produce from local bazaars, bread, rice, meat, and dairy from neighborhood shops.
Dining out regularly in Iran adds significantly to your food budget: expect to spend $300 to $500 (275 to 460 EUR) monthly if you eat at restaurants several times per week, compared to $150 to $200 (140 to 184 EUR) if you only cook at home with occasional treats.
Transportation in Iran costs about $30 to $50 (28 to 46 EUR) monthly if you rely heavily on Tehran's metro and buses, but rises to $150 to $200 (140 to 184 EUR) if you prefer taxis or ride-hailing apps like Snapp for most trips around the city.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Iran
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Can I retire in Iran if I want to buy property in 2026?
What's the average home price in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average apartment price in Tehran is roughly $600 to $1,100 per square meter (550 to 1,010 EUR per square meter) when converted at market exchange rates, meaning a 100-square-meter apartment typically costs between $60,000 and $110,000 (55,000 to 101,000 EUR).
Property prices in Iran vary enormously by location: budget-friendly areas in South or East Tehran might offer apartments at $400 to $600 per square meter (370 to 550 EUR), while premium North Tehran neighborhoods like Zafaraniyeh or Fereshteh can exceed $1,500 per square meter (1,380 EUR).
For retirees in Iran, mid-rise apartments in established middle-class neighborhoods like Vanak, Yusef Abad, or Sa'adat Abad often offer the best value, combining reasonable prices with good access to shops, healthcare, and public transport without the premium of North Tehran.
Please note that you will find all the information you need in our pack about properties in Iran.
What down payment do foreigners usually need in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners buying property in Iran should realistically plan to pay close to 100% of the purchase price in cash, meaning a down payment of $60,000 to $110,000 (55,000 to 101,000 EUR) for a typical Tehran apartment, because mortgage access for non-Iranians is extremely limited.
Foreigners in Iran generally face much higher effective down payment requirements than locals because Iranian banks rarely extend mortgages to non-citizens, and international banking sanctions make financing complicated even when theoretically available.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the mortgage process in our pack about properties in Iran.
What's the all-in monthly cost to own in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, the all-in monthly cost to own a typical apartment in Iran (excluding any mortgage, since most foreigners pay cash) runs roughly $150 to $450 (140 to 415 EUR), covering maintenance, utilities, insurance, and reserves for repairs.
This ownership cost in Iran breaks down into building maintenance and HOA-style fees at $30 to $150 (28 to 140 EUR) depending on building amenities like elevators and security, utilities at $50 to $120 (46 to 110 EUR), and a repair reserve of $30 to $100 (28 to 92 EUR) per month.
Property taxes and municipal charges in Iran are relatively low compared to Western countries, typically adding only $20 to $50 (18 to 46 EUR) per month for a standard apartment, though this varies by district and property value.
The hidden ownership cost that catches new buyers off guard in Iran is the irregular but sometimes large expense of building-wide repairs or upgrades, which can be assessed to all unit owners with little advance notice, so keeping a healthy reserve fund is essential.
Is buying cheaper than renting in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, buying is often cheaper than renting over the long term in Iran: a purchased apartment might cost $150 to $300 (140 to 275 EUR) monthly to maintain, compared to $400 to $800 (370 to 735 EUR) in rent for a similar unit, but this assumes you can pay cash upfront.
The typical break-even point where buying becomes financially advantageous over renting in Iran is roughly 10 to 15 years, based on price-to-rent ratios around 11 to 14 reported for Tehran, though high inflation can shorten this timeline if property values rise faster than rents.
For foreign retirees in Iran, the key factors that make buying less attractive than the numbers suggest include legal complexities around foreign ownership, currency volatility risk on your capital, difficulty moving money internationally, and the practical wisdom of renting for 6 to 12 months first to learn neighborhoods and avoid costly mistakes.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Iran versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What visas, taxes, and healthcare costs should I plan for in Iran in 2026?
What retirement visa options exist in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, Iran does not have a dedicated retirement visa program, so most foreign retirees use tourist visas with extensions, family-based residence permits, or investment-linked pathways, with initial visa costs varying by nationality from roughly $50 to $200 (46 to 184 EUR).
There are no specific income or savings thresholds published for a "retirement visa" in Iran since the category does not formally exist, but family-based or long-term residence applications typically require proof of financial stability and a local sponsor or family connection.
Visa renewal costs in Iran vary significantly by nationality and visa type, and the process can involve trips to immigration offices, document translations, and waiting periods, so retirees should budget $100 to $300 (92 to 275 EUR) annually for fees and related expenses.
The most common visa mistake foreign retirees make in Iran is assuming tourist visa extensions are automatic or unlimited: overstaying or miscounting allowed days can result in fines, exit problems, or future entry bans, so always verify your status through official channels like the Iran MFA portal.
Do I pay tax on foreign income in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, whether you pay tax on foreign income in Iran depends on your tax residency status: if you become a tax resident (generally by spending significant time in the country), Iran may tax your worldwide income, though specific treatment varies by income type.
Common foreign income sources for retirees like pensions, Social Security payments, investment dividends, and rental income from abroad may be subject to Iranian taxation if you are deemed tax resident, but the practical enforcement and rates depend on the specific income category and any applicable treaties.
Iran has tax treaties with some countries that can prevent double taxation, so if your home country has such an agreement with Iran, you may receive credits or exemptions that reduce your overall tax burden on foreign income.
The single most important tax rule foreign retirees should understand before moving to Iran is to determine their tax residency status in both Iran and their home country, because this determines which country can tax which income, and mistakes can lead to unexpected tax bills or penalties on both sides.
What health insurance do retirees need in Iran in 2026?
As of early 2026, retirees in Iran typically need either enrollment in Iran's public insurance system (if eligible as a legal resident) or private/international health insurance, with monthly costs ranging from $50 to $300 (46 to 275 EUR) depending on coverage level and provider.
Foreigners can access Iran's public healthcare system if they obtain legal residency and enroll in programs like the Universal Public Health Insurance (UPHI), though coverage levels and out-of-pocket costs vary, and enrollment depends on proper documentation of your legal status.
A realistic total annual healthcare budget for a retiree in Iran, including insurance premiums, routine visits, medications, and an emergency buffer, ranges from $1,200 to $6,000 (1,105 to 5,520 EUR), with the higher end providing strong protection against unexpected procedures or specialist care.
Buying real estate in Iran can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Iran, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) | Iran's official statistics agency publishing headline inflation data. | We used SCI CPI releases to understand how fast costs are rising in Iran. We applied these inflation rates to adjust older price data into early 2026 estimates. |
| Ministry of Roads and Urban Development (MRUD) | Official government ministry publishing housing transaction statistics. | We used MRUD data to anchor Tehran property prices per square meter. We then converted these figures to USD using realistic market exchange rates. |
| Associated Press (AP News) | Globally respected news wire reporting on market conditions. | We used AP's January 2026 reporting as a reality check on rial exchange rates. We applied their market-rate context to make our USD conversions practical for retirees. |
| World Bank | Standardized international dataset for official exchange rates. | We used World Bank data to show historical official rates for comparison. We explained why retirees should also budget using market-rate scenarios. |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Top global public health authority with detailed country reports. | We used WHO's Iran health system report to explain healthcare structure. We sized realistic healthcare contingency budgets based on their financing analysis. |
| UNHCR Iran | International organization with on-the-ground operational details. | We used UNHCR information to confirm public insurance program availability. We set expectations about how coverage access depends on legal status. |
| IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency) | Iran's official news agency relaying government statements. | We used IRNA reporting to support claims about foreign national insurance coverage. We referenced their pricing information for budget planning. |
| Iran MFA eVisa Portal | Official government channel for visa applications. | We used the MFA portal to ground visa discussions in authoritative information. We emphasized checking official channels for current fees by nationality. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries | Professional tax reference with consistent country templates. | We used PwC to summarize how Iran treats tax residence and foreign income. We cross-checked this with other professional guidance for accuracy. |
| Numbeo | Transparent cost database with clear methodology disclosure. | We used Numbeo as secondary triangulation for rent levels and buy-versus-rent ratios. We only applied it after anchoring context from official sources. |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Iran compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
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