Tehran Food Prices Surge to 168 Million Rials as Inflation Nears 90 Percent

Central bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati admitted on October 23 that Iranians are bearing a "heavy burden" from rising costs, while stating that international efforts to isolate the economy have failed to meet their primary goals. This assessment comes as new data shows the cost of basic food items has climbed sharply, forcing families across Tehran to reduce consumption of meat and eliminate savings entirely.

Factnameh, a Canada-based fact-checking organization, calculated that a basket of 11 essential food items cost 56 million rials per person in September. For a household of three, the total expense reached more than 168 million rials, equivalent to approximately $61.70. The government provides a food voucher worth 10 million rials, or about $3.67. This subsidy now covers less than 18 percent of the per-person food cost, a decline from roughly 30 percent in December 2025.

Annual inflation stood at 89.9 percent in September. The average monthly wage is estimated at around $100. These figures reflect the impact of years of sanctions, the steady depreciation of the rial, and the disruption caused by the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on February 28. The conflict damaged infrastructure, while a US naval blockade and Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz reduced trade. In August, US Treasury officials launched a sanctions campaign they called "Economic D-Day" to further isolate Tehran financially.

Households in central Tehran are adjusting their habits in response to these pressures. A field survey by Radio Farda found that families are reordering their spending priorities. The cost of preparing common dishes has nearly doubled in a year. A serving of ghormeh sabzi, a traditional herb stew, with rice now costs 23 million rials, or $8.45. Potato patties known as kookoo sib zamini cost about 4 million rials.

One woman in Tehran said her family now reserves most meat and chicken for their children. Her husband and she eat legumes and meat substitutes instead. She expressed concern that further price increases could force them to remove meat from the children's diet as well. Another newly married woman said her wedding savings were redirected to a housing deposit. She now works two shifts to repay a loan, noting that her home has become merely a place to sleep.

The financial strain extends to those with above-average incomes. A middle-aged man in western Tehran reported household earnings of 1 billion rials, or $367, from salary and rental income. This figure exceeds the average monthly household income in Tehran, which is around 600 million rials, or $220. Despite this higher income, he stated he can live for today but has no savings for tomorrow. Travel, dining out, and saving have ceased to be part of his routine.

A retired woman living on a monthly pension of 180 million rials, or $66, has also altered her diet. She began cutting back on meals containing meat and other major protein sources when the Iranian new year started in March. She worries about her health but considers herself fortunate because she does not pay rent. The January protests, which were driven by hardship and suppressed by a deadly crackdown, highlight the growing tension between the population and economic realities.

Younger residents are changing how they socialize to manage costs. A 28-year-old woman in Tehran earning 400 million rials, or $147, said she and her friends used to visit cafes weekly. Now, they often order one dish for every two people to split the bill. She described sharing as the only way to make social outings affordable in the current market.