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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,178 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $627 in Amwaj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,884 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $1,911 in Amwaj, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,591 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $3,194 in Amwaj, rent included.

Madinat Hamad costs about 88% more than Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.68 BHD 1.01

$5.29 BHD 1.99

-49.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.5 BHD 20.17

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.32 BHD 2.76

$9.34 BHD 3.52

-21.63%

Cappuccino

$2.59 BHD 0.98

$2.70 BHD 1.02

-4.07%

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

$0.80 BHD 0.30

$1.04 BHD 0.39

-23.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 BHD 0.14

$0.69 BHD 0.26

-46.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.02 BHD 3.02

$8.14 BHD 3.07

-1.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.79 BHD 4.07

$10.57 BHD 3.98

2.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 BHD 0.58

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 BHD 0.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.33 BHD 0.88

Eggs

$2.08 BHD 0.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.80 BHD 3.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.80 BHD 2.94

$10.11 BHD 3.81

-22.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.06 BHD 3.79

Apples (1kg)

$2.08 BHD 0.79

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 BHD 0.61

Oranges (1kg)

$1.76 BHD 0.66

Tomato (1kg)

$1.17 BHD 0.44

Potato (1kg)

$0.87 BHD 0.33

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 BHD 0.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 BHD 0.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 BHD 0.21

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.61 BHD 2.49

$5.16 BHD 1.94

28.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.81 BHD 7.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.46 BHD 1.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 BHD 1.21

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.68 BHD 0.25

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.84 BHD 13.13

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.53 BHD 1.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.31 BHD 1.25

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.21 BHD 9.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.36 BHD 0.13

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

$37.6K BHD 14.2K

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

$21.1K BHD 7,965

$37.7K BHD 14.2K

-43.88%

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

$122 BHD 45.92

$160 BHD 60.5

-24.04%

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

$23.47 BHD 8.84

$26.12 BHD 9.85

-10.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.52 BHD 6.98

$66.7 BHD 25.13

-72.22%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$118 BHD 44.51

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$52.6 BHD 19.84

Cinema Ticket

$5.27 BHD 1.99

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

$383 BHD 144

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,986 BHD 3,387

$13.4K BHD 5,036

-32.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.38 BHD 17.11

$65.7 BHD 24.75

-30.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$61.6 BHD 23.21

$66.4 BHD 25.02

-7.25%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.7 BHD 30.80

$94.0 BHD 35.42

-13.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.3 BHD 33.66

$120 BHD 45.13

-25.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$391 BHD 147

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$312 BHD 118

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 BHD 301

$2,340 BHD 882

-65.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$666 BHD 251

$2,128 BHD 802

-68.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$661 BHD 249

$3,922 BHD 1,478

-83.16%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

8.56

5.75

48.87%

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

Last update for Madinat Hamad: June 7, 2026

Last update for Amwaj: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 494% 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

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

Madinat Hamad costs about 88% 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 $1,767 per month in Madinat Hamad and $940 in Amwaj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,178 in Madinat Hamad and $627 in Amwaj. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 396% 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 $627, than in Madinat Hamad at $1,178. 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 $627 versus $1,178 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.