😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,103 in Al Muharraq versus $611 in Amwaj.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,642 in Al Muharraq versus $2,438 in Amwaj.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,181 in Al Muharraq versus $4,265 in Amwaj.
🌍Living in Al Muharraq is roughly 81% more expensive than in Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Al Muharraq19% lower, Amwaj55% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.61BHD 0.98
$10.67BHD 4.02
-75.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.60BHD 10.02
$31.65BHD 11.93
-15.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.04BHD 2.28
$10.20BHD 3.84
-40.78%
Cappuccino
$3.97BHD 1.50
$3.92BHD 1.48
1.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90BHD 0.34
$2.15BHD 0.81
-58.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32BHD 0.12
$0.69BHD 0.26
-53.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.72BHD 2.53
$7.80BHD 2.94
-13.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81BHD 2.57
$10.45BHD 3.94
-34.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35BHD 0.51
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.11BHD 0.42
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.36BHD 0.89
-
-
Eggs
$2.21BHD 0.83
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.61BHD 1.36
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.75BHD 1.79
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.56BHD 3.23
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.04BHD 0.39
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.87BHD 0.71
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.09BHD 0.41
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.43BHD 0.54
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.06BHD 0.40
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.51BHD 0.19
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.54BHD 0.21
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51BHD 0.19
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.29BHD 2.00
$5.20BHD 1.96
1.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.79BHD 7.08
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.64BHD 1.37
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71BHD 1.02
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.45BHD 2.05
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35BHD 0.51
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.20BHD 1.96
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.50BHD 0.19
$0.68BHD 0.26
-26.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.8KBHD 13.9K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5KBHD 7,720
$36.5KBHD 13.8K
-43.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$155BHD 58.3
$130BHD 48.99
19.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.54BHD 8.12
$24.31BHD 9.16
-11.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.72BHD 13.46
$66.3BHD 24.97
-46.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Cinema Ticket
$10.71BHD 4.04
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$489BHD 184
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KBHD 4,196
$13.1KBHD 4,942
-15.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4BHD 18.98
$66.0BHD 24.87
-23.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.1BHD 21.88
$66.2BHD 24.96
-12.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.9BHD 32.75
$91.8BHD 34.58
-5.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.4BHD 33.68
$117BHD 44.10
-23.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$463BHD 175
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$372BHD 140
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,006BHD 379
$2,393BHD 902
-57.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$734BHD 277
$3,003BHD 1,132
-75.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,967BHD 741
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,565BHD 590
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Muharraq
Amwaj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,813BHD 683
$3,916BHD 1,476
-53.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.21
7
-11.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Muharraq: September 15, 2026
Last update for Amwaj: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Amwaj pays 116% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $27.00 in Al Muharraq vs $32.00 in Amwaj for two.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Al Muharraq vs Amwaj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Al Muharraq and in Amwaj?
Al Muharraq and Amwaj differ by about 81% in total monthly costs ($1,103 vs $611 including rent). Amwaj is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 116% lower in Amwaj. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Amwaj – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $27.00 in Al Muharraq. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Al Muharraq or Amwaj?
All in, you'll spend $1,103 per month in Al Muharraq versus $611 in Amwaj – a 81% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $611 in Amwaj versus $1,103 in Al Muharraq, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Amwaj but tight or insufficient in Al Muharraq. The gap between the two cities makes Amwaj the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Al Muharraq and Amwaj?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Al Muharraq or Amwaj safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Al Muharraq and Amwaj are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Al Muharraq or Amwaj?
Expats usually find Amwaj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 81% less than in Al Muharraq. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Al Muharraq vs other spots: cost of living compared