Cost of Living in Salmiya - Updated Prices & Insights

50.42
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $701 (excluding rent), and $1,399 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,719 (excluding rent), and $3,063 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Salmiya? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.07 KWD 2.77
$4.94 KWD 1.51
$19.78 KWD 6.04
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.05 KWD 14.99
$35.96 KWD 10.99
$131 KWD 39.97
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.61 KWD 2.33
$6.35 KWD 1.94
$9.52 KWD 2.91
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.64 KWD 0.5
$1.32 KWD 0.4
$3.29 KWD 1.01
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 KWD 0.51
$1.65 KWD 0.51
$6.64 KWD 2.03
Cappuccino
$4.92 KWD 1.5
$3.17 KWD 0.97
$9.52 KWD 2.91
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 KWD 0.14
$0.34 KWD 0.1
$1.69 KWD 0.52
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 KWD 0.1
$0.34 KWD 0.1
$0.85 KWD 0.26
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.55 KWD 0.47
$1.02 KWD 0.31
$1.92 KWD 0.59
White Bread (500g)
$0.88 KWD 0.27
$0.5 KWD 0.15
$1.67 KWD 0.51
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.78 KWD 0.54
$0.66 KWD 0.2
$4.32 KWD 1.32
Eggs
$1.99 KWD 0.61
$1.41 KWD 0.43
$3.22 KWD 0.98
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.3 KWD 1.62
$1.66 KWD 0.51
$13.3 KWD 4.07
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.48 KWD 1.98
$3.26 KWD 1
$14.66 KWD 4.48
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.12 KWD 2.79
$3.32 KWD 1.01
$15.75 KWD 4.81
Apples (1kg)
$2.31 KWD 0.71
$1.32 KWD 0.4
$3.3 KWD 1.01
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 KWD 0.51
$0.99 KWD 0.3
$3.3 KWD 1.01
Oranges (1kg)
$1.76 KWD 0.54
$0.97 KWD 0.3
$2.59 KWD 0.79
Tomato (1kg)
$1.43 KWD 0.44
$0.63 KWD 0.19
$2.83 KWD 0.87
Potato (1kg)
$1.22 KWD 0.37
$0.8 KWD 0.24
$3.81 KWD 1.17
Onion (1kg)
$1.27 KWD 0.39
$0.64 KWD 0.2
$2.89 KWD 0.88
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.68 KWD 0.51
$0.84 KWD 0.26
$5.83 KWD 1.78
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 KWD 0.14
$0.32 KWD 0.1
$0.79 KWD 0.24
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.32 KWD 1.02
$1.16 KWD 0.35
$13.29 KWD 4.06
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 KWD 0.32
$0.5 KWD 0.15
$1.68 KWD 0.51
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 KWD 0.4
$0.8 KWD 0.24
$2.38 KWD 0.73
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96 KWD 0.9
$2.62 KWD 0.8
$4.11 KWD 1.26
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.04 KWD 0.32
$0.96 KWD 0.29
$1.11 KWD 0.34
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$49.08 KWD 15
$49.08 KWD 15
$98.2 KWD 30
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.3 KWD 1.01
$3.3 KWD 1.01
$5.77 KWD 1.76
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.27 KWD 1
$1.64 KWD 0.5
$5.23 KWD 1.6
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.97 KWD 3.96
$9.74 KWD 2.98
$32.44 KWD 9.91
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.34 KWD 0.1
$0.25 KWD 0.08
$0.47 KWD 0.14
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4K KWD 5,924
$16.2K KWD 4,937
$29.1K KWD 8,886
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K KWD 6,051
$16.3K KWD 4,987
$22.5K KWD 6,883
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$54.5 KWD 16.67
$32.09 KWD 9.81
$96.3 KWD 29.41
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.76 KWD 5.73
$16.5 KWD 5.04
$23.1 KWD 7.06
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.34 KWD 7.74
$16.03 KWD 4.9
$48.11 KWD 14.7
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$104 KWD 31.85
$64.1 KWD 19.6
$128 KWD 39.2
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.05 KWD 9.8
$16.02 KWD 4.9
$64.1 KWD 19.59
Cinema Ticket
$11.43 KWD 3.49
$9.8 KWD 2.99
$16.32 KWD 4.99
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$409 KWD 125
$166 KWD 50.7
$829 KWD 253
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,633 KWD 1,721
$2,485 KWD 759
$11.6K KWD 3,544
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.89 KWD 13.11
$16.62 KWD 5.08
$74.8 KWD 22.86
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74 KWD 12.76
$25.69 KWD 7.85
$80.3 KWD 24.53
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88 KWD 26.9
$65.5 KWD 20.02
$197 KWD 60.1
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.9 KWD 25.33
$49.73 KWD 15.2
$232 KWD 70.9
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$853 KWD 261
$801 KWD 245
$1,923 KWD 588
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 KWD 203
$643 KWD 197
$772 KWD 236
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,672 KWD 817
$1,473 KWD 450
$4,909 KWD 1,500
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 KWD 402
$1,135 KWD 347
$2,108 KWD 644
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,811 KWD 553
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.14
3
10.25
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Salmiya - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Salmiya overall, and who tends to find it good value?
Salmiya offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want access to cafes, beaches, and shopping without the intensity of Kuwait City center. The Cost of Living in Salmiya, Kuwait tends to feel more moderate overall, with a wider range of rental options and price points than the capital's core districts. You’ll find both compact apartments near the seaside promenade and larger compounds inland, giving you flexibility on monthly costs and lifestyle. Utilities and internet are reliable, and many amenities are within walking distance. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for daily commute and community vibes before locking in a lease.
What does daily life look like in Salmiya in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Salmiya blends convenience with a relaxed beachside vibe. Housing searches benefit from a mix of rental towers, midrise compounds, and older buildings near the Corniche, each with different upkeep and rents in mind. Food ranges from casual local markets to international cafés, with seafood prominent along the waterfront. Transportation leans on car access and short rides; many areas are walkable, and some neighborhoods offer shuttle or taxi options for quick errands. Salmiya living cost shows itself in how groceries, utilities, and shared spaces impact your monthly plan. Tip: map a weekly route for groceries and coffee runs to save time and fuel.
What strategies help maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Salmiya, including budgeting frameworks, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Salmiya depends on your budgeting approach and neighborhood fit. Consider a simple framework: separate housing, utilities, food, and leisure; set a cap for dining out and a buffer for seasonal air-conditioning usage in hot months. Neighborhoods near the Corniche offer easy sea access but can be pricier; inland compounds may provide better value and more predictable rents. Seasonality matters for outdoor markets and mall traffic. For expats, joining a local community group or coworking space helps with social costs and tips. Tip: trial a longer stay in a few areas across seasons to see what feels like home.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.