89.9 percent inflation forces Iranians to split meals and scrap savings

The cost of living in Iran has become a daily battle for many families.

A newly married woman in Tehran describes a life where her wedding fund was converted into a housing deposit. She now works double shifts to repay a loan. Her husband spends most of his time at work. She told Radio Farda that their home is now just a place to sleep. She noted that they feel poorer each morning. This personal struggle mirrors a national trend. Households are rethinking how they spend money on food, housing, travel, and savings. Years of sanctions, high inflation, and a falling rial have weakened the economy. These hardships fueled the protests in January. Authorities responded with a forceful crackdown that claimed many lives.

The financial pressure intensified after the United States and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28. Infrastructure suffered significant damage. Trade routes were disrupted from both sides. A US naval blockade of Iranian ports reduced oil exports and imports. Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz further hindered shipping. In August, the US Treasury launched a new sanctions drive. Officials called it Economic D-Day to isolate Tehran financially.

A survey in central Tehran shows families changing their shopping habits. They are deciding which necessities to skip. Middle-class activities are being abandoned. The price of home cooking has risen sharply. A dish of chicken and barberry now costs nearly double what it did a year ago. A serving of ghormeh sabzi with rice costs 23 million rials. That is about $8.45. Potato patties cost around 4 million rials. One woman said her family saves meat and chicken for their children. Her husband and she eat legumes and meat substitutes. They worry that prices will rise enough to force them to cut meat from their children's plates too.

Factnameh, a Canadian fact-checking outlet, estimated the cost of 11 essential food items. In September, this basket cost 56 million rials per person. A family of three spent more than 168 million rials. The government's 10 million rial food voucher covered less than 18 percent of that cost. This is down from about 30 percent in December 2025. Annual inflation hit 89.9 percent in September. The average monthly wage is estimated at $100. Central bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati acknowledged the heavy burden on October 23. He said efforts to isolate the economy had failed to hit their main target.

A retired woman living on a pension of 180 million rials has changed her diet. She has cut back on meat and major protein sources since March. She worries about her health but feels lucky to not pay rent. Even those earning more are feeling the strain. A middle-aged man in western Tehran earns a billion rials a month. This is well above the average Tehran household income of 600 million rials. He said he can survive today but has no savings for tomorrow. Travel and dining out have disappeared from his life. A 28-year-old woman earning 400 million rials has changed how she socializes. She and her friends used to visit cafes weekly. Now they often split one dish between two people. Sharing is the only way to afford an outing.

The shift in spending habits highlights the depth of the economic crisis. Families are making tough choices to keep the lights on. The gap between income and essential costs continues to widen. Many Iranians are finding that normal life is no longer affordable.