Cost of Living Comparison Between Manama and Amwaj Cost of Living Comparison Between Manama and Amwaj

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,496 per month in Manama vs $633 in Amwaj, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,408 per month in Manama vs $1,926 in Amwaj, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,319 per month in Manama vs $3,218 in Amwaj, rent included.

Manama costs about 136% more than Amwaj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Manama sits 12% above the global median, while Amwaj is 53% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.48 BHD 2.44

$5.41 BHD 2.04

19.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.5 BHD 20.16

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.27 BHD 2.74

$9.10 BHD 3.43

-20.11%

Cappuccino

$5.34 BHD 2.01

$2.69 BHD 1.01

98.51%

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

$0.87 BHD 0.33

$1.05 BHD 0.40

-17.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 BHD 0.14

$0.64 BHD 0.24

-43.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.09 BHD 3.05

$8.06 BHD 3.04

0.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.54 BHD 3.97

$10.44 BHD 3.94

0.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 BHD 0.64

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 BHD 0.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.43 BHD 0.91

Eggs

$2.47 BHD 0.93

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.59 BHD 3.24

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.74 BHD 2.92

$10.18 BHD 3.84

-23.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.28 BHD 3.88

Apples (1kg)

$2.36 BHD 0.89

Banana (1kg)

$2.11 BHD 0.79

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 BHD 0.67

Tomato (1kg)

$1.18 BHD 0.44

Potato (1kg)

$0.93 BHD 0.35

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 BHD 0.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.46 BHD 0.55

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 BHD 0.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.58 BHD 2.48

$5.26 BHD 1.98

25.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.88 BHD 7.12

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.44 BHD 1.30

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 BHD 1.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.83 BHD 0.31

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$31.28 BHD 11.79

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.58 BHD 1.72

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.96 BHD 1.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.86 BHD 10.13

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.52 BHD 0.19

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

$36.8K BHD 13.9K

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

$20.7K BHD 7,796

$36.6K BHD 13.8K

-43.50%

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

$121 BHD 45.53

$160 BHD 60.2

-24.30%

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

$26.86 BHD 10.13

$26.99 BHD 10.17

-0.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.52 BHD 14.52

$67.5 BHD 25.46

-42.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$71.0 BHD 26.78

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$45.13 BHD 17.01

Cinema Ticket

$10.78 BHD 4.06

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

$382 BHD 144

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,953 BHD 3,375

$13.1K BHD 4,925

-31.47%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.73 BHD 17.62

$65.3 BHD 24.63

-28.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.8 BHD 24.03

$65.9 BHD 24.86

-3.32%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 BHD 31.98

$94.0 BHD 35.44

-9.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.8 BHD 33.47

$117 BHD 44.18

-24.23%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$818 BHD 308

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$559 BHD 211

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,791 BHD 675

$2,377 BHD 896

-24.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,244 BHD 469

$2,135 BHD 805

-41.71%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,629 BHD 991

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,941 BHD 732

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,360 BHD 890

$3,939 BHD 1,485

-40.08%

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 Manama: May 31, 2026

Last update for Amwaj: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 67% 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

Manama vs Amwaj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Manama costs about 136% 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 $2,243 per month in Manama and $949 in Amwaj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,496 in Manama and $633 in Amwaj. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 420% more in Manama, 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 $633, than in Manama at $1,496. In Amwaj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Manama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Amwaj – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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, Manama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.