Inflation Tops 89 Percent as Tehran Households Slash Protein Spending

The cost of a basic food basket in Tehran has risen to 168 million rials, or approximately $61.70, for a family of three. This financial reality forces households to make painful choices about what to eat and how to live. The sharp increase in prices has eroded the purchasing power of ordinary Iranians, who are now rationing meat and eliminating non-essential expenses to stay afloat.

The pressure on household budgets has intensified over the past year. Annual inflation reached 89.9 percent in September. The government issues a food voucher worth 10 million rials, or $3.67, per person. This amount now covers less than 18 percent of the per-person cost of essential food items. In December 2025, that voucher covered about 30 percent of the cost. The average monthly wage in the country is estimated at around $100.

A field survey by Radio Farda in central Tehran documented how families are changing their shopping habits. The cost of cooking at home has nearly doubled in one year. A plate of ghormeh sabzi, an herb stew often considered the national dish, with rice, costs 23 million rials, or $8.45. Potato patties known as kookoo sib zamini cost about 4 million rials. Families are deciding which necessities to forgo, abandoning activities that were once normal for the middle class.

Households are adjusting their diets to stretch their money. One woman stated that her family saves most of its meat and chicken for their children. She and her husband eat legumes and meat substitutes. They fear that further price increases will force them to cut meat from the children's meals as well. A newly married woman in Tehran reported that her family used money saved for a wedding to pay a housing deposit. She now works two shifts to repay a loan, noting that her home has become a place where she and her husband only sleep.

Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati acknowledged the heavy burden Iranians are bearing on October 23. He stated that efforts to isolate the country's economy had failed to achieve their main objective. The economic strain is widespread, affecting even those with higher incomes. A middle-aged man in western Tehran earns 1 billion rials, or $367, per month. This is well above the average monthly household income in Tehran, which is around 600 million rials, or $220. He said he can live for today but has no savings for tomorrow.

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, damaged infrastructure and disrupted trade. A US naval blockade of Iranian ports reduced oil exports and imports. In August, the US Treasury launched a new sanctions campaign described by US officials as Economic D-Day to isolate Tehran financially. These factors have compounded the impact of years of sanctions and the steady decline of the rial.

A retired woman living on a monthly pension of 180 million rials, or $66, has cut back on meals with meat since March. She worries about her health but considers herself fortunate because she pays no rent. A 28-year-old woman in Tehran earning 400 million rials, or $147, a month has changed how she socializes. She and her friends used to visit cafes weekly. Now, they sometimes order one dish for every two people to split the bill. She said sharing is about the only way to make an outing affordable.