Tehran Food Bills Hit 168 Million Rials

The cost of a basic food basket for a family of three in Tehran reached 168 million rials in September, according to estimates from the fact-checking outlet Factnameh. This total translates to approximately $61.70. The government provides a food voucher worth 10 million rials per person, which now covers less than 18 percent of that per-person cost. This coverage has dropped from about 30 percent in December 2025.

Annual inflation in Iran hit 89.9 percent in September. The average monthly wage is estimated at around $100. Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati acknowledged the heavy burden on citizens on October 23. He stated that efforts to isolate the country's economy had failed to achieve their main objective. The rial continues to fall, weakening purchasing power for ordinary households.

A field survey by Radio Farda in central Tehran shows families changing shopping priorities. Some households now save meat and chicken for children, while adults eat legumes and substitutes. One woman said her family fears further price rises will force them to cut meat from children's meals. The cost of cooking at home has nearly doubled for some dishes. A meal of ghormeh sabzi with rice costs 23 million rials, while potato patties cost about 4 million rials.

The financial strain extends to those with above-average incomes. A middle-aged man in western Tehran said his household earns a billion rials monthly, well above the Tehran average of 600 million rials. Despite this, he said he can live for today but has no savings for tomorrow. Travel, dining out, and saving have disappeared from his routine. A 28-year-old woman earning 400 million rials monthly now splits one dish between two people when dining with friends to keep costs down.

A retired woman living on a monthly pension of 180 million rials has cut back on meat and major protein sources since March. She worries about her health but considers herself fortunate because she pays no rent. A newly married woman in Tehran said her wedding savings went toward a housing deposit. She now works two shifts to repay a loan. She told Radio Farda that every morning, she and her husband know they are poorer than the day before.

The pressure on households has grown 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, while Iranian attacks on the Strait of Hormuz hindered shipping. In August, the US Treasury began a new sanctions campaign described as Economic D-Day. These factors, combined with years of sanctions and inflation, have pushed many middle-class activities out of reach.