😐A single person spends $1,349 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $1,282 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,216 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $2,091 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,082 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $2,899 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.
😐Sabah Al Salem costs about 5% more than Abraq Khaitan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Sabah Al Salem sits 0% above the global median, while Abraq Khaitan is 5% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.87KWD 2.42
$10.09KWD 3.10
-22.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.6KWD 17.99
$81.3KWD 24.96
-27.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.73KWD 2.68
$8.86KWD 2.72
-1.47%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.41KWD 0.74
$2.40KWD 0.74
0.42%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41KWD 1.05
$3.74KWD 1.15
-8.82%
Cappuccino
$5.31KWD 1.63
$6.08KWD 1.87
-12.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62KWD 0.19
$0.65KWD 0.20
-4.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34KWD 0.10
$0.34KWD 0.11
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44KWD 0.44
$0.95KWD 0.29
51.58%
White Bread(500g)
$1.04KWD 0.32
$0.68KWD 0.21
52.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65KWD 0.51
$1.34KWD 0.41
23.13%
Eggs
$2.07KWD 0.64
$2.02KWD 0.62
2.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.55KWD 1.40
$4.85KWD 1.49
-6.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.64KWD 2.04
$6.47KWD 1.99
2.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.68KWD 2.97
$8.25KWD 2.53
17.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.27KWD 0.70
$2.31KWD 0.71
-1.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66KWD 0.51
$1.66KWD 0.51
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57KWD 0.48
$1.33KWD 0.41
18.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38KWD 0.42
$1.35KWD 0.41
2.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28KWD 0.39
$1.22KWD 0.37
4.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11KWD 0.34
$0.68KWD 0.21
63.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68KWD 0.51
$1.02KWD 0.31
64.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45KWD 0.14
$0.32KWD 0.10
40.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$0.93KWD 0.29
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04KWD 0.32
$1.01KWD 0.31
2.97%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38KWD 0.42
$1.32KWD 0.41
4.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.91KWD 0.89
$2.93KWD 0.90
-0.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88KWD 0.27
$0.92KWD 0.28
-4.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.47KWD 13.66
$49.30KWD 15.14
-9.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.19KWD 0.98
$3.31KWD 1.02
-3.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.32KWD 1.02
$3.18KWD 0.98
4.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.55KWD 5.09
$16.55KWD 5.09
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.36KWD 0.11
$0.37KWD 0.11
-2.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.3KKWD 6,226
$16.2KKWD 4,986
24.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.8KKWD 5,768
$16.5KKWD 5,081
13.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.9KWD 19.02
$63.4KWD 19.47
-2.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.50KWD 5.68
$18.19KWD 5.59
1.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.45KWD 7.82
$25.72KWD 7.90
-1.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$92.2KWD 28.33
$81.2KWD 24.95
13.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$46.73KWD 14.35
$43.85KWD 13.47
6.57%
Cinema Ticket
$11.41KWD 3.51
$9.56KWD 2.94
19.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$283KWD 87.0
$163KWD 50.2
73.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,184KWD 1,900
$3,276KWD 1,006
88.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.71KWD 13.12
$42.62KWD 13.09
0.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.25KWD 13.29
$32.33KWD 9.93
33.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8KWD 27.28
$80.8KWD 24.83
9.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.0KWD 25.20
$66.4KWD 20.39
23.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$800KWD 246
$780KWD 240
2.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$615KWD 189
$594KWD 182
3.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,549KWD 476
$1,207KWD 371
28.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,269KWD 390
$1,016KWD 312
24.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sabah Al Salem
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,019KWD 927
$3,583KWD 1,101
-15.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.14
7.14
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sabah Al Salem: June 9, 2026
Last update for Abraq Khaitan: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $800 in Sabah Al Salem versus $780 in Abraq Khaitan. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 19% higher in Abraq Khaitan, 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 $59.0 in Sabah Al Salem versus $81.0 in Abraq Khaitan. Groceries tell a different story – $168 in Sabah Al Salem vs $148 in Abraq Khaitan – so Abraq Khaitan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Sabah Al Salem vs Abraq Khaitan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sabah Al Salem or Abraq Khaitan?
Sabah Al Salem costs about 5% more than Abraq Khaitan, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Sabah Al Salem vs Abraq Khaitan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,024 per month in Sabah Al Salem and $1,923 in Abraq Khaitan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sabah Al Salem or Abraq Khaitan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abraq Khaitan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Sabah Al Salem and Abraq Khaitan?
Kindergarten costs $283 per month in Sabah Al Salem and $163 in Abraq Khaitan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Sabah Al Salem or Abraq Khaitan?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Sabah Al Salem, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Sabah Al Salem or Abraq Khaitan?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Abraq Khaitan, where all-in costs run around $1,282, than in Sabah Al Salem at $1,349. In Abraq Khaitan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sabah Al Salem it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Abraq Khaitan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Sabah Al Salem compared to Abraq Khaitan?
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.
Should I move to Sabah Al Salem or Abraq Khaitan?
If budget matters most, go with Abraq Khaitan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sabah Al Salem makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Sabah Al Salem vs other spots: cost of living compared