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 $1,221 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $611 in Amwaj, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,901 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $2,438 in Amwaj, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,582 per month in Madinat Hamad vs $4,265 in Amwaj, rent included.

Madinat Hamad costs about 100% more than Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Madinat Hamad and Amwaj are more affordable than the global median – Madinat Hamad 11% lower, Amwaj 55% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.60 BHD 0.98

$10.67 BHD 4.02

-75.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.2 BHD 19.68

$31.65 BHD 11.93

64.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.41 BHD 2.79

$10.20 BHD 3.84

-27.35%

Cappuccino

$2.68 BHD 1.01

$3.92 BHD 1.48

-31.63%

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

$0.90 BHD 0.34

$2.15 BHD 0.81

-58.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 BHD 0.12

$0.69 BHD 0.26

-53.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.45 BHD 2.43

$7.80 BHD 2.94

-17.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.72 BHD 3.66

$10.45 BHD 3.94

-6.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.48 BHD 0.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 BHD 0.39

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.30 BHD 0.87

Eggs

$2.01 BHD 0.76

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.63 BHD 3.25

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.34 BHD 2.39

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.38 BHD 3.16

Apples (1kg)

$2.17 BHD 0.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 BHD 0.59

Oranges (1kg)

$1.96 BHD 0.74

Tomato (1kg)

$1.30 BHD 0.49

Potato (1kg)

$1.05 BHD 0.40

Onion (1kg)

$1.04 BHD 0.39

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.54 BHD 0.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 BHD 0.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.24 BHD 1.97

$5.20 BHD 1.96

0.77%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.42 BHD 6.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.59 BHD 1.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.68 BHD 1.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.64 BHD 0.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$34.31 BHD 12.93

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.19 BHD 1.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.63 BHD 0.99

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.13 BHD 6.08

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.39 BHD 0.15

$0.68 BHD 0.26

-42.65%

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

$36.6K BHD 13.8K

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

$20.2K BHD 7,619

$36.5K BHD 13.8K

-44.65%

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

$155 BHD 58.3

$130 BHD 48.99

19.00%

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

$23.49 BHD 8.85

$24.31 BHD 9.16

-3.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.20 BHD 6.86

$66.3 BHD 24.97

-72.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$121 BHD 45.56

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$52.5 BHD 19.78

Cinema Ticket

$5.45 BHD 2.05

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

$483 BHD 182

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.0K BHD 4,145

$13.1K BHD 4,942

-16.13%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.1 BHD 19.27

$66.0 BHD 24.87

-22.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.2 BHD 21.55

$66.2 BHD 24.96

-13.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.0 BHD 32.79

$91.8 BHD 34.58

-5.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.3 BHD 33.64

$117 BHD 44.10

-23.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$402 BHD 152

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$320 BHD 121

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$803 BHD 303

$2,393 BHD 902

-66.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$670 BHD 252

$3,003 BHD 1,132

-77.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$676 BHD 255

$3,916 BHD 1,476

-82.73%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

-11.29%

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

Last update for Madinat Hamad: September 14, 2026

Last update for Amwaj: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 479% higher in Amwaj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Madinat Hamad versus $32.00 in Amwaj. Use this as a proxy for overall food spending across the two cities.

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 100% 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 $1,831 per month in Madinat Hamad and $916 in Amwaj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,221 in Madinat Hamad and $611 in Amwaj. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Madinat Hamad and $32.00 in Amwaj. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Amwaj, where all-in costs run around $611, than in Madinat Hamad at $1,221. 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 $611 versus $1,221 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.