🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,405 in Novi Sad versus $1,816 in Al Hidd.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,094 in Novi Sad versus $2,250 in Al Hidd.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,782 in Novi Sad versus $2,684 in Al Hidd.
🙂Living in Novi Sad costs roughly 23% less than in Al Hidd, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Novi Sad5% above, Al Hidd35% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.59RSD 970
$6.56BHD 2.47
46.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.50RSD 4,905
$39.07BHD 14.72
24.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.97RSD 1,109
$7.22BHD 2.72
51.94%
Cappuccino
$2.26RSD 229
$2.71BHD 1.02
-16.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13RSD 215
$0.77BHD 0.29
176.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71RSD 173
$0.13BHD 0.05
1215.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.88RSD 291
$7.83BHD 2.95
-63.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64RSD 368
$10.48BHD 3.95
-65.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56RSD 158
$1.71BHD 0.64
-8.77%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99RSD 100
$1.30BHD 0.49
-23.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.81RSD 284
$2.38BHD 0.90
18.07%
Eggs
$2.56RSD 259
$2.51BHD 0.95
1.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.92RSD 1,205
$8.74BHD 3.29
36.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.79RSD 687
$7.93BHD 2.99
-14.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.37RSD 1,251
$10.04BHD 3.78
23.21%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24RSD 126
$2.46BHD 0.93
-49.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92RSD 194
$2.12BHD 0.80
-9.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.63RSD 165
$1.69BHD 0.64
-3.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47RSD 250
$1.22BHD 0.46
102.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99RSD 101
$0.87BHD 0.33
13.79%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92RSD 93.3
$1.04BHD 0.39
-11.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.76RSD 77.2
$1.50BHD 0.57
-49.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68RSD 69.0
$0.92BHD 0.35
-26.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.46RSD 451
$6.70BHD 2.53
-33.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.79RSD 788
$18.51BHD 6.97
-57.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84RSD 84.9
$3.44BHD 1.30
-75.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15RSD 218
$3.29BHD 1.24
-34.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.01RSD 102
$1.55BHD 0.58
-34.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.83RSD 2,511
$53.9BHD 20.31
-53.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.92RSD 194
$4.69BHD 1.77
-59.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65RSD 65.7
$4.08BHD 1.54
-84.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.76RSD 987
$26.19BHD 9.87
-62.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82RSD 184
$0.41BHD 0.15
343.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.0KRSD 3.1M
$20.1KBHD 7,560
54.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6KRSD 2.9M
$21.0KBHD 7,926
35.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$207RSD 20.9K
$121BHD 45.74
70.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.65RSD 1,987
$27.32BHD 10.30
-28.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.46RSD 3,586
$38.62BHD 14.56
-8.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.41RSD 3,683
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.99RSD 1,415
$54.1BHD 20.39
-74.14%
Cinema Ticket
$5.99RSD 606
$10.58BHD 3.99
-43.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$346RSD 35.0K
$392BHD 148
-11.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,231RSD 731.2K
$8,768BHD 3,305
-17.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107RSD 10.9K
$46.78BHD 17.63
129.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.50RSD 4,702
$62.5BHD 23.55
-25.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122RSD 12.3K
$83.3BHD 31.41
46.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137RSD 13.9K
$86.8BHD 32.70
57.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$562RSD 56.8K
$669BHD 252
-16.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$460RSD 46.6K
$942BHD 355
-51.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,085RSD 109.7K
$784BHD 295
38.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$788RSD 79.7K
$807BHD 304
-2.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,691RSD 373.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,697RSD 272.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,046RSD 105.8K
$1,900BHD 716
-44.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.31
8.56
-14.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novi Sad: June 8, 2026
Last update for Al Hidd: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $562 in Novi Sad and $669 in Al Hidd. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Hidd pays 82% 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: $49.00 in Novi Sad vs $39.00 in Al Hidd. Groceries flip the comparison at $231 vs $266, with Novi Sad cheaper for home cooking.
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
Novi Sad vs Al Hidd: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Hidd cheaper than Novi Sad?
Novi Sad is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 29% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Novi Sad or Al Hidd?
On paper, Al Hidd earns 82% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Novi Sad and Al Hidd?
Rent for a central apartment: $562 in Novi Sad versus $669 in Al Hidd. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Novi Sad runs roughly 117% less than in Al Hidd. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $346 in Novi Sad versus $392 in Al Hidd. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Novi Sad or Al Hidd?
At $1,405 in Novi Sad versus $1,816 in Al Hidd, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Novi Sad but tight or insufficient in Al Hidd. The gap between the two cities makes Novi Sad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Novi Sad or Al Hidd?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Novi Sad or Al Hidd?
Safety-wise, Novi Sad and Al Hidd 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Novi Sad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 29% less than in Al Hidd. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.