Cost of Living in Salmiya - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $724 (excluding rent), and $1,424 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,763 (excluding rent), and $3,162 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.86 KWD 2.72

$4.83 KWD 1.48

$19.32 KWD 5.93

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.4 KWD 14.85

$35.49 KWD 10.88

$129 KWD 39.59

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 KWD 2.39

$6.5 KWD 1.99

$9.74 KWD 2.99

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.59 KWD 0.49

$1.28 KWD 0.39

$3.19 KWD 0.98

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 KWD 0.49

$6.47 KWD 1.98

Cappuccino

$5.05 KWD 1.55

$3.26 KWD 1

$9.77 KWD 3

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

$0.46 KWD 0.14

$0.34 KWD 0.11

$1.7 KWD 0.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 KWD 0.11

$0.86 KWD 0.26

Milk (1 liter)

$1.6 KWD 0.49

$1.05 KWD 0.32

$1.97 KWD 0.6

White Bread (500g)

$0.83 KWD 0.26

$0.47 KWD 0.15

$1.58 KWD 0.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.77 KWD 0.54

$0.66 KWD 0.2

$4.3 KWD 1.32

Eggs

$1.91 KWD 0.59

$1.35 KWD 0.41

$3.09 KWD 0.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.26 KWD 1.61

$1.65 KWD 0.5

$13.2 KWD 4.05

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.37 KWD 1.95

$3.2 KWD 0.98

$14.41 KWD 4.42

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.93 KWD 2.74

$3.25 KWD 1

$15.42 KWD 4.73

Apples (1kg)

$2.28 KWD 0.7

$1.3 KWD 0.4

$3.26 KWD 1

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 KWD 0.49

$0.96 KWD 0.29

$3.2 KWD 0.98

Oranges (1kg)

$1.72 KWD 0.53

$0.95 KWD 0.29

$2.53 KWD 0.78

Tomato (1kg)

$1.5 KWD 0.46

$0.66 KWD 0.2

$2.97 KWD 0.91

Potato (1kg)

$1.26 KWD 0.39

$0.83 KWD 0.25

$3.96 KWD 1.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 KWD 0.4

$0.66 KWD 0.2

$2.99 KWD 0.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.63 KWD 0.5

$0.81 KWD 0.25

$5.64 KWD 1.73

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.45 KWD 0.14

$0.32 KWD 0.1

$0.78 KWD 0.24

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.85 KWD 0.87

$0.95 KWD 0.29

$12.66 KWD 3.88

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1 KWD 0.31

$0.48 KWD 0.15

$1.58 KWD 0.49

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.4 KWD 0.43

$0.84 KWD 0.26

$2.52 KWD 0.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.01 KWD 0.92

$2.67 KWD 0.82

$4.19 KWD 1.29

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 KWD 0.32

$0.97 KWD 0.3

$1.13 KWD 0.35

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$48.84 KWD 14.98

$97.7 KWD 29.96

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 KWD 1.01

$5.74 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)

$13.24 KWD 4.06

$9.93 KWD 3.05

$33.1 KWD 10.15

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.34 KWD 0.1

$0.25 KWD 0.08

$0.47 KWD 0.15

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

$19.8K KWD 6,076

$16.5K KWD 5,063

$29.7K KWD 9,114

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

$20K KWD 6,145

$16.5K KWD 5,065

$22.8K KWD 6,989

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

$56.6 KWD 17.35

$33.27 KWD 10.2

$99.8 KWD 30.61

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

$18.67 KWD 5.73

$16.42 KWD 5.04

$22.99 KWD 7.05

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.74 KWD 7.89

$16.29 KWD 5

$48.88 KWD 14.99

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$106 KWD 32.62

$65.5 KWD 20.07

$131 KWD 40.15

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$33.25 KWD 10.2

$16.62 KWD 5.1

$66.5 KWD 20.39

Cinema Ticket

$11.5 KWD 3.53

$9.86 KWD 3.02

$16.43 KWD 5.04

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

$404 KWD 124

$164 KWD 50.3

$820 KWD 252

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,584 KWD 1,712

$2,463 KWD 756

$11.5K KWD 3,526

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.55 KWD 12.74

$16.1 KWD 4.94

$72.5 KWD 22.23

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.09 KWD 12.91

$25.9 KWD 7.94

$80.9 KWD 24.82

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.1 KWD 27.02

$65.6 KWD 20.11

$197 KWD 60.3

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.2 KWD 24.89

$48.7 KWD 14.94

$227 KWD 69.7

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$858 KWD 263

$806 KWD 247

$1,934 KWD 593

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$663 KWD 203

$641 KWD 197

$770 KWD 236

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,667 KWD 818

$1,470 KWD 451

$4,899 KWD 1,502

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,323 KWD 406

$1,140 KWD 350

$2,118 KWD 650

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,883 KWD 578

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.14

10.25

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Salmiya - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.