Bahrain : Cost of Living by City
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Bahrain?
Bahrain is not an expensive country, compared to both European and Australian countries.
The overall cost of living can be said to be similar to the cost of living in Europe
While you will have to spend a lot of money on accommodation and utilities, you can save a lot on transportation, food, and clothing.
How much money you will need obviously depends on your lifestyle, but one thing should be taken into consideration – the minimum wage in Bahrain is not enough to cover all the expenses.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Bahrain
RESTAURANTS
Even though restaurants are not cheap, almost 13% of the monthly budget is spent there.
Meals are pretty cheap, as you can eat a well-made dish in an inexpensive restaurant for just $5.
However, alcohol is expensive, where it is allowed to be served, and do not get confused if you are asked to pay $10 for a bottle of beer.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $5.33 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $7.99 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.34 |
MARKETS
Unlike European countries, where food is quite expensive, the groceries prices in Bahrain are not so unreasonable.
You can always choose to buy food at the local markets or at discounted prices, which will save you a lot.
Preparing your meals is always advisable if you want to afford some other expenses.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.51 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.32 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.36 |
TRANSPORTATION
It is interesting to notice that public transportation in Bahrain is really inexpensive and can be afforded by anyone.
You can get a monthly pass at a price that is not higher than $40.
If you have your own vehicle, then driving around would not be a great expense, as the gallon of gasoline costs only $0.5.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $0.80 |
| Monthly Pass | $37.28 |
| Gasoline | $0.51 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Compared to European countries, utilities, such as electricity, water, and garbage, are cheaper but still not so inexpensive.
All the basic services would take you approximately $170 per month and when the minimum monthly salary is taken into consideration, this is quite a high expense.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $169.01 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $49.31 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
Being considered one of the best places to live in the area, Bahrain is relatively affordable, but when sports are in question, fitness clubs will make a huge hole in your budget, not to speak about tennis court rents, which are more than unaffordable.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $79.88 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $46.60 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $9.32 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
When compared to Australian and European countries, the Kingdom of Bahrain is relatively cheap when the clothing prices are involved.
Being able to buy a designer pair of jeans at the price of $50 or even less, should be considered inexpensive.
Still, running shoes are holding higher prices than in other countries.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $49.77 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $61.77 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $99.13 |
RENT PER MONTH
Besides having to pay utilities, you will first need to find a place to live in Bahrain, and this is definitely the highest expense there.
Those with the average monthly salary will be able to afford an apartment in the city centers, but unfortunately, that would be impossible for the people with the minimum salary.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $904.69 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $681.74 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1667.31 |
HEALTHCARE
Healthcare includes a strong public system for citizens and a mixed public-private model for expatriates.
Public healthcare is funded by the state, while most expats rely on employer-provided private insurance.
Private health insurance typically costs about 50 to 120 USD per month for an individual.
Out-of-pocket expenses average around 300 to 600 USD per year, mainly for private clinics, medications, and specialist visits.
With average monthly salaries of around 2,500 to 3,000 USD, healthcare costs are generally affordable, especially for those with employer coverage.
EDUCATION
Public primary and secondary schools are tuition-free for citizens, but families pay for uniforms, books, supplies, and transportation.
Private schools, especially international ones, charge substantial annual tuition, typically ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 per year.
Universities have moderate to high tuition; public universities for citizens may charge around $2,000 to $4,000 per year, while private and international programs can cost $8,000 to $20,000 annually.
Additional costs for students include textbooks, housing, food, and transport.
Average monthly income is approximately $1,600, so private school and university costs can represent a significant share of household income.
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Bahrain?
Rental costs for a one-bedroom apartment in the center will be pretty much higher than for the same apartment out of the city center, so those with lower wages should definitely think about renting the cheaper one, so as to be able to save money for other costs.
Food also takes a lot of money and that is why people need to prepare food at home and buy ingredients at the local markets.
People in Bahrain pay attention to their bodies and health, so almost 10% of monthly payments go to sports and fitness activities.
Average Costs Breakdown
Bahrain: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
It is worth mentioning that the minimum monthly wage of people in Bahrain is half lower than the average monthly net salary.
This makes living conditions quite difficult and people with so low salaries must be struggling to live normally.
Their rent can be higher than their wage thus leaving nothing for other expenses.
Mortgage interest rate is also higher than in European countries, which makes people unable to afford their own apartments and houses.
Bahrain Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Bahrain Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | LOW |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
| TAP WATER RISK | MEDIUM |
Cost of Living by City in Bahrain
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Manama |
55.23 |
Job opportunity is available in Bahrain?
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Rana Ashar Ali
From Pakistan
It’s interesting to think about how living expenses can vary so much from one place to another. It seems like Bahrain offers some opportunities for savings in certain areas, but the minimum wage challenge really highlights the importance of budgeting wisely.