Iranian Households Split Meals as Inflation Hits 89.9 Percent
New data shows the cost of a basic family meal in Tehran has reached 23 million rials, forcing residents to abandon savings and dining out.
By Sakura Novak ·
A single serving of ghormeh sabzi, the herb stew considered Iran's national dish, now costs 23 million rials, or $8.45, when served with rice in central Tehran. This price point reflects the severe squeeze on household budgets as annual inflation reached 89.9 percent in September. The cost of preparing chicken and barberry at home has nearly doubled in the last year.
Radio Farda conducted a field survey in central Tehran that found families are reordering their spending priorities. Many households are abandoning activities once associated with the middle class, such as traveling and dining out. Instead, residents are deciding which necessities to forgo to cover basic costs. The rial's steady decline and years of international sanctions have eroded purchasing power.
The economic pressure intensified after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. The conflict damaged infrastructure and disrupted trade. A US naval blockade of Iranian ports reduced oil exports and imports, while 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.
Factnameh, a fact-checking outlet based in Canada, calculated the cost of a basket of 11 essential food items. In September, this basket cost 56 million rials, or $20.70, per person. For a family of three, the total expense exceeded 168 million rials, or $61.70. The government's 10 million rial food voucher covers less than 18 percent of this per-person cost, down from 30 percent in December 2025.
Abdolnaser Hemmati, the central bank governor, acknowledged the heavy burden on Iranians on October 23. He stated that efforts to isolate the country's economy failed to achieve their main objective. The average monthly wage is estimated at around $100, leaving little room for savings in the face of rising prices.
One newly married woman in Tehran said her family used their wedding fund for a housing deposit instead. She works two shifts to repay a loan and says her home is now a place where she and her husband only sleep. She noted that they know every morning that they are poorer than the day before.
A retired woman living on a monthly pension of 180 million rials, or $66, has cut back on meat since the Iranian new year in March. She worries about her health but considers herself fortunate because she pays no rent. Her decision affects her daily diet as protein sources become more expensive.
Even higher earners feel the strain. A middle-aged man in western Tehran earns a household income of one billion rials, or $367, which is well above the Tehran average of 600 million rials. He said he can live for today but has no savings for tomorrow. Travel and saving have disappeared from his routine.
A 28-year-old Tehran woman earning 400 million rials, or $147, a month has changed how she socializes. She and her friends used to visit cafes weekly but now often order one dish for two people to split the bill. She said sharing is the only way to make an outing affordable.
