For one person, living is cheaper in Bahrain: $1,592 a month against $2,462 in the United Kingdom, rent and utilities included – about $10,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
How much you'll spend in the United Kingdom and in Bahrain
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in the United Kingdom and in Bahrain actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,462 in the United Kingdom versus $1,592 in Bahrain.
United Kingdom $2,462
Bahrain $1,592
Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,600 in the United Kingdom versus $2,414 in Bahrain.
United Kingdom $3,600
Bahrain $2,414
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,738 in the United Kingdom versus $3,236 in Bahrain.
United Kingdom $4,738
Bahrain $3,236
📏
Internal cost variation is higher in the United Kingdom: monthly costs span $1,126 to $4,646, compared to $126–$1,997 in Bahrain. City choice carries more weight in the United Kingdom.
🌍
Living in the United Kingdom is roughly 55% more expensive than in Bahrain on average.
📊
Both countries sit above the global median: the United Kingdom 81% above, Bahrain 17% above.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.48£16.13
$7.13BHD 2.69
201.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.7£64.4
$39.71BHD 14.98
115.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.61£7.97
$8.08BHD 3.05
31.31%
Cappuccino
$4.91£3.69
$4.85BHD 1.83
1.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66£2.00
$0.96BHD 0.36
177.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87£1.40
$0.32BHD 0.12
484.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.63£4.97
$6.48BHD 2.44
2.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.84£5.14
$9.13BHD 3.44
-25.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.68£1.26
$1.56BHD 0.59
7.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.72£1.29
$1.26BHD 0.47
36.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.17£1.63
$2.60BHD 0.98
-16.54%
Eggs
$4.00£3.00
$2.63BHD 0.99
52.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.42£7.07
$9.61BHD 3.63
-1.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.19£6.90
$6.31BHD 2.38
45.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.77£11.08
$10.43BHD 3.93
41.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97£2.23
$2.62BHD 0.99
13.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62£1.22
$2.20BHD 0.83
-26.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.85£2.14
$2.20BHD 0.83
29.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.52£2.64
$1.64BHD 0.62
114.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83£1.37
$1.21BHD 0.46
51.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.61£1.21
$1.13BHD 0.43
42.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25£0.94
$1.61BHD 0.61
-22.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.66£1.24
$0.70BHD 0.26
137.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$23.65£17.75
$5.81BHD 2.19
307.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.50£7.88
$24.33BHD 9.18
-56.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.98£2.24
$3.59BHD 1.35
-16.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51£2.64
$3.17BHD 1.20
10.73%
🚌 Getting Around
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.98£2.99
$0.76BHD 0.29
423.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$107£80.6
$36.45BHD 13.75
194.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.18£3.89
$5.36BHD 2.02
-3.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.35£1.76
$3.41BHD 1.29
-31.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.84£20.14
$16.09BHD 6.07
66.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99£1.49
$0.64BHD 0.24
210.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.4K£29.6K
$26.3KBHD 9,910
50.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.5K£30.4K
$20.0KBHD 7,529
102.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$327£246
$134BHD 50.4
144.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.21£13.67
$25.34BHD 9.56
-28.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.60£32.73
$40.43BHD 15.25
7.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.36£31.79
$78.9BHD 29.76
-46.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.22£13.68
$36.73BHD 13.85
-50.39%
Cinema Ticket
$13.85£10.39
$10.55BHD 3.98
31.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,868£1,402
$605BHD 228
208.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.6K£17.0K
$9,560BHD 3,606
136.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.9£69.8
$53.4BHD 20.14
74.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.92£34.47
$52.3BHD 19.73
-12.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102£76.3
$87.1BHD 32.85
16.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102£76.7
$87.8BHD 33.12
16.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,342£1,008
$962BHD 363
39.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,073£806
$631BHD 238
70.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,231£1,675
$1,830BHD 690
21.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,742£1,308
$1,185BHD 447
47.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,601£4,204
$2,611BHD 985
114.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,265£3,201
$1,865BHD 703
128.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,349£2,514
$2,294BHD 865
46.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.32
6.33
-15.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for the United Kingdom: October 26, 2026
Last update for Bahrain: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
United Kingdom
$1.1K 43.6%
Bahrain
$631 39.7% ↓ 41.2%$442
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United Kingdom
$389 15.8%
Bahrain
$199 12.5% ↓ 48.7%$190
🍽Eating Out
United Kingdom
$328 13.3%
Bahrain
$195 12.3% ↓ 40.4%$132
🛒Groceries & Markets
United Kingdom
$307 12.5%
Bahrain
$278 17.5% ↓ 9.6%$30
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United Kingdom
$154 6.3%
Bahrain
$126 7.9% ↓ 18.1%$28
🚌Getting Around
United Kingdom
$140 5.7%
Bahrain
$62 3.9% ↓ 55.9%$78
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United Kingdom
$70 2.9%
Bahrain
$100 6.3% ↑ 42.8%$30
🏠Accommodation & Living
United Kingdom
$1.7K 36.8%
Bahrain
$1.2K 36.6% ↓ 32%$557
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
United Kingdom
$407 8.6%
Bahrain
$225 7% ↓ 44.8%$182
🍽Eating Out
United Kingdom
$1.1K 23.1%
Bahrain
$580 17.9% ↓ 47%$514
🛒Groceries & Markets
United Kingdom
$705 14.9%
Bahrain
$604 18.7% ↓ 14.4%$101
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
United Kingdom
$343 7.2%
Bahrain
$281 8.7% ↓ 18.1%$62
🚌Getting Around
United Kingdom
$288 6.1%
Bahrain
$125 3.9% ↓ 56.5%$163
🎉Sport & Entertainment
United Kingdom
$158 3.3%
Bahrain
$237 7.3% ↑ 49.5%$78
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $1,287 in the United Kingdom, $830 in Bahrain. Capital cities: $2,811 in London vs $1,004 in Manama.
💰National salary averages: $3,251 in the United Kingdom, $2,201 in Bahrain. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 55% higher in the United Kingdom.
⭐Dining out costs 84% more in the United Kingdom.
⭐Public transport is 159% more expensive in the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom→Bahrain5,070 km≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
United Kingdom
Bahrain
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
United Kingdom vs Bahrain: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Bahrain and the United Kingdom?
At $1,592 per month in Bahrain and $2,462 in the United Kingdom, Bahrain comes out about 35% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Bahrain: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $1,287 in the United Kingdom and $830 in Bahrain. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget in Bahrain or in the United Kingdom?
In Bahrain, $2,500 covers most cities easily; in the United Kingdom it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you’ll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Bahrain or to the United Kingdom?
It depends on what you’re after: Bahrain wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.
United Kingdom vs other spots: cost of living compared