Moving to Iraq from South Carolina
What to Expect
Considering a move from South Carolina to Iraq? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from South Carolina to Iraq, you would find that Iraq is 57.4% cheaper than South Carolina. A $75,000 salary in South Carolina would need to be roughly IQD37,714,044 in Iraq to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Baghdad averages 87°F vs 66°F in Columbia, making it significantly warmer.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓How Far Will Your Money Go?
A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between South Carolina and Iraq.
What does your salary buy?
$75,000 → IQD37,714,044
To maintain the same standard of living in Iraq
Calculate with your salary →How key spending categories compare
Restaurants
pay 72.3% less
Groceries
pay 61.9% less
Transportation
pay 26.3% less
Housing
pay 66.5% less
Childcare
pay 89.5% less
Entertainment and Sports
pay 40.6% less
Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.
Get free moving quotes to Iraq
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Iraq compared to South Carolina.
How's the healthcare?
share of adults with obesity
Iraq performs significantly better than South Carolina across all health & wellbeing metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
share of households with internet
South Carolina performs better than Iraq across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
South Carolina performs better than Iraq across all employment & economy metrics.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
South Carolina performs better than Iraq across all family life metrics.
Data: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), OECD Regional Demography, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey)
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Columbia | Baghdad |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 47°/28°F (8°/-2°C) | 66°/43°F (19°/6°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 76°/55°F (24°/13°C) | 97°/67°F (36°/20°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 86°/65°F (30°/18°C) | 108°/74°F (43°/24°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 55°/36°F (13°/2°C) | 77°/50°F (25°/10°C) |
View all months
| Month | Columbia | Baghdad |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40°/22°F (4.3°/-5.3°C) | 60°/39°F (15.5°/3.8°C) |
| Feb | 45°/26°F (7.2°/-3.3°C) | 65°/42°F (18.5°/5.5°C) |
| Mar | 56°/35°F (13.3°/1.7°C) | 74°/49°F (23.6°/9.6°C) |
| Apr | 67°/46°F (19.3°/7.6°C) | 86°/59°F (29.9°/15.2°C) |
| May | 75°/55°F (24.0°/12.9°C) | 98°/68°F (36.5°/20.1°C) |
| Jun | 85°/65°F (29.2°/18.1°C) | 106°/74°F (41.3°/23.3°C) |
| Jul | 90°/69°F (32.0°/20.4°C) | 111°/78°F (44.0°/25.5°C) |
| Aug | 88°/67°F (31.3°/19.6°C) | 110°/76°F (43.5°/24.5°C) |
| Sep | 80°/58°F (26.6°/14.5°C) | 104°/69°F (40.2°/20.7°C) |
| Oct | 68°/47°F (20.0°/8.1°C) | 92°/61°F (33.4°/15.9°C) |
| Nov | 55°/37°F (12.7°/2.6°C) | 75°/49°F (23.7°/9.2°C) |
| Dec | 42°/25°F (5.6°/-3.8°C) | 63°/41°F (17.2°/5.1°C) |
Data:
National Weather Service,
Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Iraq. To live, work, or study long-term in Iraq, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Iraq's immigration authority.
United States passport holder visiting Iraq
Visa Online (e-Visa)
Iraq passport holder visiting United States
Visa RequiredData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Iraq than South Carolina?
On average Iraq is about 62% less expensive than South Carolina, with major cities narrowing the gap.
How much money do I need to move to Iraq?
Budget about IQD9,428,511 for 3 months in Iraq (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.
Can I work remotely from Iraq?
From major Iraq cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in South Carolina and Iraq are what actually decide it long-term.
How is healthcare in Iraq compared to South Carolina?
Iraq performs significantly better than South Carolina across all health & wellbeing metrics.
What's the weather like in Iraq compared to South Carolina?
The average high temperature in Baghdad is 87°F, compared to 66°F in Columbia. Baghdad receives around 4.8 in of rainfall per year, while Columbia gets 46.3 in.
What language do they speak in Iraq?
The official languages in Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. In South Carolina, the official language is English.
