Cost of Living in Kuwait - Updated Prices & Insights

51.84

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $700 (excluding rent), and $1,385 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,822 (excluding rent), and $3,196 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.18 KWD 2.5

$4.91 KWD 1.5

$16.36 KWD 5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.28 KWD 15.06

$32.86 KWD 10.04

$98.6 KWD 30.12

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.05 KWD 2.46

$6.45 KWD 1.97

$9.67 KWD 2.96

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 KWD 0.74

$1.3 KWD 0.4

$5.17 KWD 1.58

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 KWD 0.97

$1.59 KWD 0.49

$6.38 KWD 1.95

Cappuccino

$5.48 KWD 1.68

$3.34 KWD 1.02

$10.03 KWD 3.07

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

$0.53 KWD 0.16

$0.34 KWD 0.1

$1.01 KWD 0.31

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 KWD 0.12

$0.34 KWD 0.1

$0.85 KWD 0.26

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 KWD 0.46

$0.96 KWD 0.29

$2.54 KWD 0.78

White Bread (500g)

$1.11 KWD 0.34

$0.66 KWD 0.2

$1.66 KWD 0.51

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.78 KWD 0.54

$0.64 KWD 0.19

$3.2 KWD 0.98

Eggs

$2.03 KWD 0.62

$1.29 KWD 0.39

$3.86 KWD 1.18

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.9 KWD 1.8

$2.43 KWD 0.74

$12.95 KWD 3.96

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.51 KWD 1.99

$3.24 KWD 0.99

$12.95 KWD 3.96

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.89 KWD 3.02

$3.24 KWD 0.99

$12.95 KWD 3.96

Apples (1kg)

$2.36 KWD 0.72

$1.32 KWD 0.4

$3.3 KWD 1.01

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 KWD 0.55

$1.11 KWD 0.34

$3.2 KWD 0.98

Oranges (1kg)

$1.69 KWD 0.52

$0.8 KWD 0.24

$3.18 KWD 0.97

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 KWD 0.47

$0.64 KWD 0.2

$2.26 KWD 0.69

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 KWD 0.39

$0.64 KWD 0.2

$1.61 KWD 0.49

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 KWD 0.37

$0.63 KWD 0.19

$2.67 KWD 0.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 KWD 0.61

$0.97 KWD 0.3

$3.25 KWD 0.99

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.5 KWD 0.15

$0.34 KWD 0.1

$0.85 KWD 0.26

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$3.22 KWD 0.98

$0.97 KWD 0.29

$8.05 KWD 2.46

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 KWD 0.37

$0.5 KWD 0.15

$2.32 KWD 0.71

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 KWD 0.51

$0.83 KWD 0.25

$2.49 KWD 0.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.03 KWD 0.92

$2.86 KWD 0.87

$4.03 KWD 1.23

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.02 KWD 0.31

$0.85 KWD 0.26

$1.18 KWD 0.36

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.21 KWD 15.04

$39.37 KWD 12.03

$65.6 KWD 20.05

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.2 KWD 0.98

$2.24 KWD 0.69

$5.12 KWD 1.57

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.14 KWD 0.96

$1.57 KWD 0.48

$4.71 KWD 1.44

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.5 KWD 5.04

$9.91 KWD 3.03

$23.1 KWD 7.06

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.36 KWD 0.11

$0.29 KWD 0.09

$0.43 KWD 0.13

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

$21.4K KWD 6,543

$19.8K KWD 6,040

$29.6K KWD 9,060

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

$18.7K KWD 5,704

$16.5K KWD 5,045

$19.8K KWD 6,054

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

$53.7 KWD 16.41

$32.39 KWD 9.9

$97.2 KWD 29.69

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

$19.63 KWD 6

$16.27 KWD 4.97

$22.79 KWD 6.96

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.03 KWD 9.18

$16.32 KWD 4.99

$48.97 KWD 14.97

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$101 KWD 30.8

$48.43 KWD 14.8

$161 KWD 49.34

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$39.41 KWD 12.05

$16.42 KWD 5.02

$65.7 KWD 20.08

Cinema Ticket

$11.38 KWD 3.48

$9.76 KWD 2.98

$16.26 KWD 4.97

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

$358 KWD 110

$163 KWD 49.72

$651 KWD 199

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,221 KWD 1,901

$3,313 KWD 1,013

$9,940 KWD 3,038

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.79 KWD 13.99

$19.62 KWD 6

$65.4 KWD 19.99

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.01 KWD 14.67

$26.37 KWD 8.06

$82.4 KWD 25.19

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.4 KWD 29.76

$65.9 KWD 20.14

$115 KWD 35.25

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.9 KWD 27.46

$49.72 KWD 15.19

$166 KWD 50.7

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$834 KWD 255

$659 KWD 201

$1,483 KWD 453

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$619 KWD 189

$482 KWD 147

$804 KWD 246

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,731 KWD 529

$1,302 KWD 398

$2,442 KWD 746

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,302 KWD 398

$1,026 KWD 314

$2,004 KWD 612

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,931 KWD 1,812

$1,982 KWD 606

$12.2K KWD 3,723

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,809 KWD 858

$1,630 KWD 498

$5,093 KWD 1,556

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,125 KWD 955

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.72

2.5

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

Cost of Living in Kuwait - Frequently Asked Questions

Kuwait offers a mix of options, and for many, Cost of Living in Kuwait is reasonable when housing, utilities, and commuting are scoped carefully. If you anchor in a well-connected, moderately sized base, you can enjoy modern amenities, safety, and clean services without unnecessary expense. Expat-friendly neighborhoods around Kuwait City and coastal towns often balance space, convenience, and access to groceries or coworking spaces. Seasonal energy use and visa setup can influence upfront costs, but long stays tend to reduce per-day expenses. Tip: Choose a neighborhood with bundled services or included utilities, and keep a flexible lease plan to adapt as your schedule evolves.

When searching for housing, you’ll find a range from towers near the coast to quieter blocks inland, with options that suit different budgets and schedules. Food choices span local markets and international stores, with plenty of casual dining and coffee spots for work breaks. Transport leans on car use and rideshares, while public transit remains limited; plan for flexible travel between neighborhoods and coworking hubs. Errands are straightforward in well-serviced districts, with malls and hypermarkets offering one-stop options. Kuwait living cost varies by area, so compare commute time and amenities before committing. Tip: Map a few core neighborhoods first, then test a weekday and weekend routine.

A practical approach starts with a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs from flexible spending, then add a buffer for dining and leisure. Neighborhood fit matters: coastal zones offer walkable waterfronts and a lively cafe scene, while inland districts can feel calmer and cheaper. Climate drives daily routines in summer; plan for indoor work, cooling, and energy use, while winter offers more outdoor options. In terms of lifestyle, explore coworking spaces, weekend desert trips, malls, and beachfront options to vary your week. Build a quick search plan using long-term leases, short stays, and visa logistics to keep options open. Tip: Set a monthly cap for discretionary spending and track it for a few weeks.