🙂A single person spends $1,169 per month in Hawalli vs $1,251 in Fahaheel, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,010 per month in Hawalli vs $2,157 in Fahaheel, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,851 per month in Hawalli vs $3,063 in Fahaheel, rent included.
🙂Hawalli is about 7% cheaper than Fahaheel, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Hawalli and Fahaheel are more affordable than the global median – Hawalli15% lower, Fahaheel9% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.79KWD 1.48
$7.94KWD 2.45
-39.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.7KWD 19.97
$58.3KWD 17.99
11.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.00KWD 2.78
$8.16KWD 2.52
10.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.16KWD 0.98
$3.13KWD 0.97
0.96%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22KWD 0.99
$2.92KWD 0.90
10.27%
Cappuccino
$4.84KWD 1.49
$4.83KWD 1.49
0.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41KWD 0.13
$0.60KWD 0.18
-31.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37KWD 0.12
$0.34KWD 0.11
8.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64KWD 0.51
$1.23KWD 0.38
33.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53KWD 0.47
$0.73KWD 0.23
109.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95KWD 0.60
$1.97KWD 0.61
-1.02%
Eggs
$2.05KWD 0.63
$2.07KWD 0.64
-0.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.27KWD 1.01
$3.77KWD 1.16
-13.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.21KWD 0.99
$5.31KWD 1.64
-39.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.29KWD 1.02
$8.85KWD 2.73
-62.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.54KWD 0.78
$2.27KWD 0.70
11.89%
Banana(1kg)
$1.95KWD 0.60
$1.86KWD 0.57
4.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88KWD 0.58
$1.14KWD 0.35
64.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50KWD 0.46
$1.49KWD 0.46
0.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32KWD 0.41
$1.47KWD 0.45
-10.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.48KWD 0.46
$0.92KWD 0.28
60.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28KWD 0.70
$1.43KWD 0.44
59.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55KWD 0.17
$0.56KWD 0.17
-1.79%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$3.19KWD 0.98
$2.95KWD 0.91
8.14%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02KWD 0.32
$0.99KWD 0.31
3.03%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40KWD 0.43
$1.61KWD 0.50
-13.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.67KWD 0.82
$2.73KWD 0.84
-2.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.82KWD 0.25
$0.83KWD 0.25
-1.20%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.38KWD 15.24
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.73KWD 1.46
$3.32KWD 1.02
42.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.30KWD 1.02
$3.41KWD 1.05
-3.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.07KWD 4.96
$18.57KWD 5.73
-13.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.36KWD 0.11
$0.34KWD 0.10
5.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4KKWD 6,595
$20.3KKWD 6,269
5.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3KKWD 6,262
$22.9KKWD 7,073
-11.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$64.7KWD 19.97
$72.1KWD 22.26
-10.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.99KWD 7.10
$22.67KWD 7.00
1.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.54KWD 7.89
$32.51KWD 10.04
-21.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$64.2KWD 19.81
$82.5KWD 25.45
-22.16%
Cinema Ticket
$11.13KWD 3.44
$11.53KWD 3.56
-3.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$304KWD 93.7
$291KWD 89.8
4.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,531KWD 2,942
$8,613KWD 2,659
10.66%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.13KWD 9.92
$33.24KWD 10.26
-3.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.36KWD 12.15
$34.44KWD 10.63
14.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.1KWD 29.98
$108KWD 33.43
-10.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0KWD 27.16
$78.9KWD 24.34
11.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584KWD 180
$737KWD 228
-20.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$485KWD 150
$626KWD 193
-22.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$982KWD 303
$1,974KWD 609
-50.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,180KWD 982
$1,449KWD 447
119.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hawalli
Fahaheel
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,881KWD 581
$4,230KWD 1,306
-55.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.53
6.53
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hawalli: September 1, 2026
Last update for Fahaheel: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $584 in Hawalli versus $737 in Fahaheel. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 125% higher in Fahaheel, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Hawalli versus $58.0 in Fahaheel. Groceries tell a different story – $145 in Hawalli vs $153 in Fahaheel – so Hawalli wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Hawalli vs Fahaheel: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hawalli and in Fahaheel compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,169 in Hawalli, $1,251 in Fahaheel – roughly 7% apart. Fahaheel costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hawalli compared to Fahaheel?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,754 per month in Hawalli and $1,876 in Fahaheel. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hawalli and Fahaheel?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hawalli, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hawalli or Fahaheel?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,169 in Hawalli and $1,251 in Fahaheel. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hawalli and Fahaheel?
Kindergarten costs $304 per month in Hawalli and $291 in Fahaheel. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Hawalli, where all-in costs run around $1,169, than in Fahaheel at $1,251. In Hawalli it covers expenses comfortably, while in Fahaheel it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Hawalli and Fahaheel?
It depends on your priorities. Hawalli has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,169 in Hawalli to $1,251 in Fahaheel. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hawalli or Fahaheel safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Hawalli and Fahaheel?
If budget matters most, go with Hawalli. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fahaheel makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.