If you're asking the question "Where in Iraq should I live?" then there is only one possible answer for you, Erbil, the capitol of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the north. It's pretty safe and now days fairly cheap. But if you're looking for work, now is probably not the time. Most people who have work haven't been paid for months. Other cities that are safe within the KRG are Dohuk and Sulaimania. While they're great to visit, there isn't much of a reason to live there unless you have friends, family, or a job in one of those cities. If you do, then you probably wouldn't be asking where you should live.
It would be a terrible idea to go to any part of the rest of Iraq unless you have friends and family there, a job with a major company (and as stated already, in a compound), or you really really know what you're doing.
As for living in Erbil, you could find a furnished house for around $800-$1200 per month, depending on the neighborhood (Ainkawa, Bakhtiary, Harsham). Some of the really nice gated communities like English Village, American Village, or Empire usually start around $1500 if you're lucky, and can go on up from there in price.