Cost of Living Comparison Between Amwaj and Madinat Hamad Cost of Living Comparison Between Amwaj and Madinat Hamad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $629 per month in Amwaj vs $1,173 in Madinat Hamad, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,903 per month in Amwaj vs $1,899 in Madinat Hamad, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,177 per month in Amwaj vs $2,625 in Madinat Hamad, rent included.

Amwaj is about 46% cheaper than Madinat Hamad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Amwaj and Madinat Hamad are more affordable than the global median – Amwaj 53% lower, Madinat Hamad 12% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.21 BHD 1.96

$2.71 BHD 1.02

92.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.8 BHD 19.87

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.35 BHD 3.52

$7.33 BHD 2.75

27.56%

Cappuccino

$2.68 BHD 1.01

$2.62 BHD 0.98

2.29%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 BHD 0.40

$0.81 BHD 0.30

32.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 BHD 0.25

$0.37 BHD 0.14

83.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.75 BHD 2.91

$7.82 BHD 2.94

-0.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.40 BHD 3.91

$10.70 BHD 4.02

-2.80%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 BHD 0.58

White Bread (500g)

$1.08 BHD 0.40

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.39 BHD 0.90

Eggs

$1.98 BHD 0.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.46 BHD 3.18

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.93 BHD 3.73

$7.53 BHD 2.83

31.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.29 BHD 3.87

Apples (1kg)

$2.16 BHD 0.81

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 BHD 0.61

Oranges (1kg)

$1.75 BHD 0.66

Tomato (1kg)

$1.21 BHD 0.45

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 BHD 0.35

Onion (1kg)

$1.03 BHD 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.52 BHD 0.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 BHD 0.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.37 BHD 2.02

$6.77 BHD 2.54

-20.68%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.42 BHD 6.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.32 BHD 1.25

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 BHD 1.25

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.63 BHD 0.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.92 BHD 13.13

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.55 BHD 1.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.39 BHD 1.28

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.32 BHD 9.89

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.36 BHD 0.13

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.3K BHD 14.0K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$37.6K BHD 14.1K

$20.7K BHD 7,782

81.82%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$160 BHD 60.1

$120 BHD 44.97

33.72%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.48 BHD 9.96

$23.99 BHD 9.02

10.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.3 BHD 25.30

$18.72 BHD 7.04

259.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$118 BHD 44.45

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$52.0 BHD 19.54

Cinema Ticket

$5.37 BHD 2.02

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$387 BHD 145

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.1K BHD 4,908

$8,985 BHD 3,378

45.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 BHD 25.36

$46.29 BHD 17.41

45.71%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.4 BHD 24.95

$62.6 BHD 23.54

5.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.4 BHD 34.36

$81.9 BHD 30.79

11.60%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 BHD 45.23

$88.4 BHD 33.25

36.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$402 BHD 151

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$320 BHD 120

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,434 BHD 915

$809 BHD 304

200.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,113 BHD 794

$652 BHD 245

224.15%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,025 BHD 1,514

$661 BHD 249

508.58%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.75

8.56

-32.83%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Amwaj: April 28, 2026

Last update for Madinat Hamad: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 509% higher in Amwaj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Amwaj vs Madinat Hamad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Madinat Hamad costs about 87% more than Amwaj, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $943 per month in Amwaj and $1,760 in Madinat Hamad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $629 in Amwaj and $1,173 in Madinat Hamad. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 401% more in Madinat Hamad, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Amwaj, where all-in costs run around $629, than in Madinat Hamad at $1,173. In Amwaj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Madinat Hamad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Amwaj costs $629 versus $1,173 in Madinat Hamad. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Amwaj. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Madinat Hamad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.