Cost of Living Comparison Between Manama and JuffairCost of Living Comparison Between Manama and Juffair
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,517 in Manama versus $1,563 in Juffair.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,437 in Manama versus $2,280 in Juffair.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,358 in Manama versus $2,998 in Juffair.
🌍Living in Manama costs roughly 3% less than in Juffair, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Manama14% above, Juffair17% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.83BHD 2.57
$6.51BHD 2.45
4.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.7BHD 20.24
$31.71BHD 11.95
69.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.59BHD 2.86
$7.26BHD 2.74
4.55%
Cappuccino
$5.49BHD 2.07
$5.32BHD 2.01
3.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86BHD 0.32
$0.67BHD 0.25
28.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36BHD 0.14
$0.28BHD 0.11
28.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.88BHD 2.97
$5.37BHD 2.02
46.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.74BHD 4.05
$9.12BHD 3.44
17.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69BHD 0.64
$1.62BHD 0.61
4.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.35BHD 0.51
$1.35BHD 0.51
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.38BHD 0.90
$1.61BHD 0.61
47.83%
Eggs
$2.48BHD 0.94
$2.48BHD 0.94
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.88BHD 3.35
$6.60BHD 2.49
34.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.78BHD 2.93
$6.63BHD 2.50
17.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.33BHD 3.90
$9.46BHD 3.57
9.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33BHD 0.88
$2.43BHD 0.92
-4.12%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09BHD 0.79
$2.04BHD 0.77
2.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69BHD 0.64
$1.77BHD 0.67
-4.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21BHD 0.46
$1.16BHD 0.44
4.31%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88BHD 0.33
$0.89BHD 0.33
-1.12%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07BHD 0.40
$1.03BHD 0.39
3.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45BHD 0.55
$1.50BHD 0.57
-3.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.93BHD 0.35
$0.82BHD 0.31
13.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.53BHD 2.46
$6.75BHD 2.55
-3.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.26BHD 6.88
$18.78BHD 7.08
-2.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.36BHD 1.27
$3.33BHD 1.25
0.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32BHD 1.25
$3.17BHD 1.20
4.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Manama
Juffair
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.78BHD 0.29
$0.76BHD 0.29
2.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.08BHD 12.09
$34.63BHD 13.05
-7.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.74BHD 1.79
$3.16BHD 1.19
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.88BHD 1.46
$4.02BHD 1.52
-3.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.03BHD 9.82
$26.45BHD 9.97
-1.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.52BHD 0.20
$0.22BHD 0.08
136.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.1KBHD 14.0K
$28.0KBHD 10.6K
32.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KBHD 7,956
$17.6KBHD 6,631
19.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124BHD 46.62
$123BHD 46.45
0.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.75BHD 10.08
$26.71BHD 10.07
0.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.92BHD 14.29
$31.69BHD 11.95
19.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$72.1BHD 27.17
$52.0BHD 19.62
38.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.09BHD 16.62
$40.47BHD 15.26
8.94%
Cinema Ticket
$10.81BHD 4.08
$9.09BHD 3.43
18.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$384BHD 145
$234BHD 88.2
64.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,117BHD 3,437
$8,994BHD 3,391
1.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.92BHD 17.69
$42.35BHD 15.97
10.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.2BHD 23.46
$31.71BHD 11.95
96.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.4BHD 31.43
$67.5BHD 25.46
23.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.8BHD 33.84
$65.1BHD 24.55
37.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manama
Juffair
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$822BHD 310
$986BHD 372
-16.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$568BHD 214
$731BHD 275
-22.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,774BHD 669
$1,789BHD 675
-0.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,229BHD 463
$1,174BHD 442
4.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,642BHD 996
$2,083BHD 785
26.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,959BHD 739
$1,616BHD 609
21.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manama
Juffair
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,309BHD 871
$2,805BHD 1,057
-17.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.56
7
22.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manama: July 25, 2026
Last update for Juffair: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $822 in Manama and $986 in Juffair. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Juffair pays 21% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Manama vs $32.00 in Juffair for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $265 vs $246 per month, with Juffair cheaper across the board.
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 Juffair: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manama or Juffair?
Manama wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Juffair. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Manama the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Manama or in Juffair?
On paper, salaries run 21% lower in Juffair. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Manama compared to Juffair?
Rent for a central apartment: $822 in Manama versus $986 in Juffair. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Manama compared to Juffair?
All in, you'll spend $1,517 per month in Manama versus $1,563 in Juffair – a 3% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Manama compared to Juffair?
A monthly transit pass in Manama runs roughly 8% less than in Juffair. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Manama or in Juffair?
At $1,517 in Manama versus $1,563 in Juffair, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Manama but tight or insufficient in Juffair. The gap between the two cities makes Manama the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Manama or Juffair?
Both work as nomad bases, but Manama delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,517 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Manama hard to pass up.
How safe is Manama compared to Juffair?
Safety-wise, Manama and Juffair are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Manama gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Juffair. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.