Tehran Food Bill Hits $62 as Inflation Tops 89 Percent

The cost of feeding a family of three in Tehran reached 168 million rials, or approximately $61.70, in September 2026. This figure comes from a calculation by the fact-checking organization Factnameh, which is based in Canada. The total covers 11 essential food items.

Annual inflation hit 89.9 percent in September. The average monthly wage in the country is estimated at around $100. The government issues a food voucher worth 10 million rials, or $3.67. This amount now covers less than 18 percent of the per-person cost of those essentials. In December 2025, the same voucher covered about 30 percent of the cost.

Abdolnaser Hemmati, the governor of the central bank, spoke on October 23. He acknowledged the heavy burden placed on Iranians. He stated that efforts to isolate the country's economy failed to reach their main objective. His comments came as the rial continued to weaken against the dollar.

The economic pressure has intensified since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. The conflict damaged infrastructure and disrupted trade. A US naval blockade reduced oil exports and imports. Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz further hindered shipping. In August, the US Treasury started a new sanctions campaign that officials called Economic D-Day.

Families in central Tehran are changing how they shop. A field survey by Radio Farda found that households are cutting back on specific items. The cost of making chicken and barberry has nearly doubled in one year. A meal of ghormeh sabzi with rice now costs 23 million rials, or $8.45. Potato patties known as kookoo sib zamini cost about 4 million rials.

One woman said her family reserves most meat and chicken for their growing children. She and her husband eat legumes and meat substitutes instead. She fears that further price increases will force them to cut protein from the children's meals as well. Another newly married woman said her wedding savings went to a housing deposit. She now works two shifts to repay a loan. She described her home as a place for sleeping only, noting that she feels poorer every morning.

A retired woman lives on a monthly pension of 180 million rials, or $66. She has reduced her intake of meat and other major protein sources since March. She worries about her health but considers herself lucky because she does not pay rent. A middle-aged man in western Tehran earns a billion rials, or $367, from his salary and rental income. This is well above the average monthly household income in Tehran, which is about 600 million rials, or $220. He said he can live for today but has no savings for tomorrow.

A 28-year-old woman earning 400 million rials, or $147, a month has changed her social habits. She and her friends used to visit cafes weekly. Now they often order one dish for two people to split the bill. She said sharing is the only way to make an outing affordable. These changes reflect a wider shift as Iranians prioritize survival over leisure and long-term financial security.