Cost of Living Comparison Between Sabah Al Salem and Abraq Khaitan Cost of Living Comparison Between Sabah Al Salem and Abraq Khaitan

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,317 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $1,294 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,234 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $2,067 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,151 per month in Sabah Al Salem vs $2,840 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

Sabah Al Salem costs about 2% more than Abraq Khaitan, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Sabah Al Salem and Abraq Khaitan are more affordable than the global median – Sabah Al Salem 1% lower, Abraq Khaitan 3% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.78 KWD 2.41

$9.89 KWD 3.07

-21.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.8 KWD 18.56

$80.2 KWD 24.89

-25.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.41 KWD 2.61

$8.96 KWD 2.78

-6.14%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.47 KWD 0.77

$2.50 KWD 0.78

-1.20%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 KWD 1.05

$3.77 KWD 1.17

-10.08%

Cappuccino

$5.54 KWD 1.72

$5.84 KWD 1.81

-5.14%

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

$0.60 KWD 0.19

$0.70 KWD 0.22

-14.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 KWD 0.11

$0.35 KWD 0.11

2.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.42 KWD 0.44

$0.93 KWD 0.29

52.69%

White Bread (500g)

$1.08 KWD 0.34

$0.68 KWD 0.21

58.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.65 KWD 0.51

$1.33 KWD 0.41

24.06%

Eggs

$1.97 KWD 0.61

$2.03 KWD 0.63

-2.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.63 KWD 1.44

$4.92 KWD 1.53

-5.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.49 KWD 2.01

$6.60 KWD 2.05

-1.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.72 KWD 3.02

$8.41 KWD 2.61

15.58%

Apples (1kg)

$2.25 KWD 0.70

$2.32 KWD 0.72

-3.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 KWD 0.52

$1.58 KWD 0.49

6.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 KWD 0.47

$1.28 KWD 0.40

18.75%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.41 KWD 0.44

$1.28 KWD 0.40

10.16%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 KWD 0.40

$1.23 KWD 0.38

4.07%

Onion (1kg)

$1.11 KWD 0.34

$0.62 KWD 0.19

79.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.62 KWD 0.50

$1.01 KWD 0.31

60.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.43 KWD 0.13

$0.35 KWD 0.11

22.86%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$3.64 KWD 1.13

$0.98 KWD 0.31

271.43%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.06 KWD 0.33

$1.02 KWD 0.31

3.92%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 KWD 0.43

$1.39 KWD 0.43

-0.72%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.01 KWD 0.94

$2.92 KWD 0.91

3.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 KWD 0.27

$0.89 KWD 0.28

-1.12%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.78 KWD 13.59

$49.72 KWD 15.43

-11.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 KWD 1.01

$3.37 KWD 1.04

-3.26%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.32 KWD 1.03

$3.26 KWD 1.01

1.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.13 KWD 5.00

$16.08 KWD 4.99

0.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.34 KWD 0.10

$0.36 KWD 0.11

-5.56%

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

$20.8K KWD 6,439

$16.5K KWD 5,110

26.00%

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

$18.9K KWD 5,867

$16.3K KWD 5,058

16.01%

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

$62.7 KWD 19.45

$63.1 KWD 19.58

-0.67%

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

$18.64 KWD 5.78

$18.18 KWD 5.64

2.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.37 KWD 7.87

$25.38 KWD 7.88

-0.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$94.0 KWD 29.18

$82.6 KWD 25.63

13.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$45.82 KWD 14.22

$44.42 KWD 13.78

3.15%

Cinema Ticket

$11.47 KWD 3.56

$10.03 KWD 3.11

14.36%

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

$285 KWD 88.5

$165 KWD 51.2

72.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,128 KWD 1,901

$3,210 KWD 996

90.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.99 KWD 13.34

$42.92 KWD 13.32

0.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.97 KWD 13.33

$32.20 KWD 9.99

33.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.7 KWD 27.20

$80.4 KWD 24.94

9.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.3 KWD 25.85

$65.7 KWD 20.40

26.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$794 KWD 246

$778 KWD 242

1.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$603 KWD 187

$588 KWD 183

2.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 KWD 490

$1,200 KWD 372

31.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,309 KWD 406

$1,003 KWD 311

30.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,008 KWD 933

$3,398 KWD 1,054

-11.47%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.14

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Sabah Al Salem: July 28, 2026

Last update for Abraq Khaitan: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $794 in Sabah Al Salem versus $778 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 13% 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 $60.0 in Sabah Al Salem versus $80.0 in Abraq Khaitan. Groceries tell a different story – $167 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

Sabah Al Salem costs about 2% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,976 per month in Sabah Al Salem and $1,941 in Abraq Khaitan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $285 per month in Sabah Al Salem and $165 in Abraq Khaitan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 13% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Abraq Khaitan, where all-in costs run around $1,294, than in Sabah Al Salem at $1,317. In Abraq Khaitan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sabah Al Salem it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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 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.