Living in Tehran
What it really costs to live in Tehran, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Iran, updated 2026. As Iran's capital, Tehran commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Tehran lies in Southern Asia. The main language is Persian. Iran borders Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan.
Cost of Living in Tehran
Full Monthly Breakdown for Tehran
How Tehran Compares to Other Iran Cities
Tehran is not the only option in Iran. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€277 671) stacks up against the other cities we track — Isfahan is the cheapest, Tehran the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Isfahan | €203 244/mo | -27% vs Tehran |
| Shiraz | €224 699/mo | -19% vs Tehran |
What You Can Earn in Iran
Typical gross annual salaries in Iran by sector (entry · median · senior). Tehran pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €12 500 | €18 000 | €25 000 |
| retail | €3 500 | €5 000 | €6 500 |
| finance | €9 000 | €13 000 | €18 000 |
| education | €5 000 | €7 500 | €10 500 |
| healthcare | €6 500 | €9 500 | €13 500 |
| engineering | €9 000 | €13 000 | €18 500 |
| hospitality | €3 500 | €5 000 | €7 500 |
| construction | €6 000 | €9 000 | €12 500 |
Living in Tehran: Safety, Health & Climate
Tehran shares Iran's wider quality-of-life profile. Tehran has a dry climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Iran
Affording Tehran is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Iran. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Investment route from about €82 800 (USD).
Taxes in Iran
Top marginal rate 30%, VAT 9%.
Settling into Tehran
- Budget around €1 200 for first-month setup in Tehran.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Education, Psychology.
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How much does it cost to live in Tehran?
A single person in central Tehran should budget about €277 671/month, roughly €236 020 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €638 643/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Iran?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Iran visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Iran Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries