🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,396 in Novi Sad versus $1,763 in Al Hidd.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,091 in Novi Sad versus $2,190 in Al Hidd.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,786 in Novi Sad versus $2,616 in Al Hidd.
🙂Living in Novi Sad costs roughly 21% less than in Al Hidd, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Novi Sad4% above, Al Hidd32% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.71RSD 974
$6.57BHD 2.47
47.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.38RSD 4,951
$39.43BHD 14.83
25.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.71RSD 1,074
$7.41BHD 2.78
44.53%
Cappuccino
$2.35RSD 236
$2.68BHD 1.01
-12.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13RSD 214
$0.81BHD 0.31
162.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63RSD 164
$0.14BHD 0.05
1064.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92RSD 293
$7.88BHD 2.96
-62.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69RSD 370
$10.55BHD 3.97
-65.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.53RSD 154
$1.72BHD 0.65
-11.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03RSD 103
$1.28BHD 0.48
-19.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.80RSD 280
$2.31BHD 0.87
21.21%
Eggs
$2.57RSD 257
$2.42BHD 0.91
6.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.80RSD 1,183
$8.54BHD 3.21
38.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.13RSD 715
$7.57BHD 2.85
-5.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.69RSD 1,272
$10.37BHD 3.90
22.37%
Apples(1kg)
$1.26RSD 126
$2.45BHD 0.92
-48.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83RSD 183
$2.05BHD 0.77
-10.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.63RSD 164
$1.77BHD 0.66
-7.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.45RSD 245
$1.21BHD 0.45
102.48%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99RSD 99.7
$0.90BHD 0.34
10.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93RSD 93.3
$1.07BHD 0.40
-13.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.79RSD 79.3
$1.46BHD 0.55
-45.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65RSD 65.1
$0.94BHD 0.35
-30.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.54RSD 456
$6.46BHD 2.43
-29.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.22RSD 824
$18.73BHD 7.04
-56.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87RSD 87.2
$3.35BHD 1.26
-74.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18RSD 218
$3.18BHD 1.19
-31.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03RSD 103
$1.58BHD 0.59
-34.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.69RSD 2,475
$52.9BHD 19.89
-53.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.96RSD 196
$4.62BHD 1.74
-57.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69RSD 69.1
$4.01BHD 1.51
-82.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.27RSD 930
$26.01BHD 9.78
-64.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.83RSD 183
$0.38BHD 0.14
381.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KRSD 3.0M
$20.1KBHD 7,565
49.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.7KRSD 2.9M
$20.8KBHD 7,825
38.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$205RSD 20.5K
$122BHD 45.81
68.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.68RSD 1,973
$26.79BHD 10.07
-26.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.95RSD 3,604
$38.28BHD 14.39
-6.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.63RSD 3,672
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.21RSD 1,424
$53.5BHD 20.13
-73.46%
Cinema Ticket
$6.29RSD 630
$10.79BHD 4.06
-41.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$346RSD 34.7K
$386BHD 145
-10.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,317RSD 733.6K
$9,104BHD 3,423
-19.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$108RSD 10.8K
$46.87BHD 17.62
130.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.66RSD 4,578
$62.4BHD 23.46
-26.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122RSD 12.3K
$82.1BHD 30.88
48.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139RSD 13.9K
$88.0BHD 33.07
58.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$557RSD 55.9K
$672BHD 253
-17.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$459RSD 46.0K
$933BHD 351
-50.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,084RSD 108.7K
$795BHD 299
36.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$776RSD 77.8K
$810BHD 304
-4.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,670RSD 367.9K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,614RSD 262.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi Sad
Al Hidd
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,083RSD 108.5K
$1,937BHD 728
-44.12%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Al Hidd: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $557 in Novi Sad and $672 in Al Hidd. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Hidd pays 79% 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 $233 vs $264, 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 26% 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 79% 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: $557 in Novi Sad versus $672 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 114% 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 $386 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 $1,396 in Novi Sad versus $1,763 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 26% less than in Al Hidd. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.