Cost of Living in Bahrain for Expats

Published on October 21, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Located in the heart of the Persian Gulf, Bahrain attracts many expatriates thanks to its unique blend of modernity and tradition. However, before settling there, it’s crucial to understand the cost of living in this small island kingdom. While some aspects of daily life are affordable, others can quickly drive up expenses.

With a growing economy and a dynamic job market, Bahrain offers unparalleled opportunities, but every expatriate should be aware of the financial implications of choosing to settle there. This article explores in detail the various elements that make up the cost of living in Bahrain, providing practical advice for navigating this distinct economic environment.

Exploring the Cost of Living: Comparisons and Examples

The cost of living in Bahrain is generally considered more affordable than in other Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia, though this varies depending on lifestyle and location. Here’s a detailed comparison with concrete examples tailored for expatriates.

Expense Category	Bahrain (Manama)	United Arab Emirates (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)	Saudi Arabia (Riyadh/Jeddah)	Kuwait (Kuwait City)
2-Bedroom Apartment Downtown	600-950 BHD/month	4,000-7,500 AED/month	2,500-5,000 SAR/month	300-650 KWD/month
Average Restaurant Meal	6-10 BHD	29 AED	40 SAR	3–7 KWD
Monthly Groceries	~120 BHD/person	~900 AED/person	~800 SAR/person	~80–100 KWD/person
Urban Transport Ticket	0.3-0.5 BHD	3-8 AED	4-6 SAR	0.25-0.35 KWD

“In Bahrain, I was able to rent a spacious apartment with a pool for almost half the price compared to Dubai. Life is also more relaxed here.”

“If you prioritize local food products and avoid high-end Western restaurants too often, it’s possible to save without depriving yourself!”

“You need to plan for good health insurance because some medical costs quickly exceed what would be reimbursed by a standard European health fund.”

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Tips for Managing Expenses

• Systematically compare neighborhoods/properties before signing;
• Prioritize local markets for food to avoid markups on imported products;
• Take out appropriate health insurance covering private consultations/local hospitalizations;
• Use public transportation when possible or carpool among expatriates to limit car expenses;

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In summary, Bahrain offers a financially attractive alternative among its Gulf neighbors while providing a multicultural environment appreciated by professional expatriates and families seeking budget stability and a comfortable quality of life.

Typical Budget for an Expatriate in Bahrain

Main Monthly Expenses for an Expatriate in Bahrain

Expense Category	Average Monthly Cost (BHD)	Key Comments
Housing (1 bedroom)	225–323	Downtown: 323 BHD; Outskirts: 225 BHD
Utilities (85 m²)	49	Water, electricity, air conditioning; subsidized
High-Speed Internet	16.5	60 Mbps or higher plan
Groceries (supermarket)	80–150	Varies depending on local or imported products
Public Transportation	15–25	City buses, taxis; underdeveloped
Personal Vehicle	>200	Rental/purchase, very affordable gas (0.18 BHD/liter)
Recreation/Entertainment	60–150	Restaurant: 20 BHD for 2, gym: 30 BHD, cinema: 4 BHD
Healthcare	30–100	Private insurance recommended; cost varies by coverage

Housing

• Downtown (e.g., Manama): 1-bedroom apartment, between 320–330 BHD/month.
• Outskirts/residential areas: from 225 BHD/month.
• The most sought-after neighborhoods (Seef, Amwaj Islands, Juffair) have higher rents and modern housing.
• Furnished villas or apartments cost more, especially with included services.

Utilities

Electricity, water, air conditioning: approximately 49 BHD/month for 85 m², thanks to government subsidies.

Internet: fiber optic or ADSL plan around 16.5 BHD/month.

Food

Local products (market or supermarket):

• Fresh bread: 0.57 BHD
• Milk: 0.64 BHD/liter
• Chicken (1 kg): 2.75 BHD
• Apples (1 kg): 0.94 BHD

Imported products:

Higher prices, especially for European or organic products.

The food budget can therefore double if you prioritize imported products.

Transportation

Public transportation: underdeveloped bus system, low cost (15–25 BHD/month depending on frequency of use).

Personal vehicle:

• Very cheap gas (0.18 BHD/liter).
• Car purchase or rental: from 150–250 BHD/month for a used vehicle or lease.
• Insurance, maintenance, and parking to be budgeted additionally.

Recreation and Entertainment

• Mid-range restaurant for two: 20 BHD.
• Gym membership: 30 BHD/month.
• Cinema: 4 BHD per ticket.
• Other leisure activities (bars, outdoor activities, private clubs): variable depending on lifestyle.

Healthcare

Public facilities are accessible but most expatriates opt for private health insurance.

Budget 30–100 BHD/month depending on the extent of coverage (consultations, hospitalization, maternity, etc.).

Practical Tips for Optimizing Your Budget

• Prioritize outlying neighborhoods for cheaper housing while maintaining a good comfort level.
• Buy local products and avoid imports to reduce the food bill.
• Use air conditioning reasonably to limit electricity costs, especially in summer.
• Favor carpooling or buying a used vehicle, as public transport options remain limited.
• Negotiate rent and opt for housing with included services (internet, water).
• Subscribe to appropriate health insurance upon arrival to avoid unexpected costs.
• Take advantage of free or subsidized leisure activities: public beaches, parks, cultural events organized by the expatriate community.

In Bahrain, expatriate life remains generally affordable, especially thanks to the absence of income tax and subsidies on essential services. Careful management of housing, food, and transportation allows for control over the monthly budget.

Tips and Tricks for Saving in Bahrain

Practical methods to reduce daily expenses:

• Choose competitively priced supermarkets and systematically compare prices per kilo or liter. Prioritizing bulk purchases, especially for non-perishable items on sale, allows for significant savings.
• Frequent local markets, especially to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables or take advantage of low-cost unsold items. Picking directly from local producers is also a beneficial alternative.
• Opt for public transport rather than a personal car significantly reduces the transportation budget (fuel, maintenance, parking).
• Plan meals and create a precise shopping list helps avoid food waste and strongly limits impulse purchases.
• Buying in bulk (pasta, rice, nuts) is often 10 to 15% cheaper than traditional packaged purchases.

Expense Category	Concrete Tips
Food	Compare prices per kilo/liter; buy non-perishables on sale; opt for bulk
Transportation	Get public transport passes; prioritize biking or walking if possible
Regular Purchases	Use apps for unsold item recovery; monitor short-dated items
Recreation	Take advantage of group deals or online bargains

Specific Housing Advice:

• Sharing an apartment (roommate) allows splitting all fixed costs (rent, electricity, internet).
• Moving to an outlying neighborhood generally offers a better price-to-space ratio while remaining accessible via public transport.

Digital Applications and Tools:

• Use price comparison apps, which allow quick identification of where to find each product at the lowest price.
• Download apps specialized in recovering unsold food items from local stores.
• Participate in loyalty programs offered by certain stores or supermarkets to accumulate points or immediate discounts on your recurring purchases.

Banking Optimization:

To avoid high banking fees:

• Choose a local bank with a clear fee structure, without hidden fees or significant commissions on standard operations. Regularly compare its banking conditions with those on the local market.
• Use a banking app that allows budget management: personalized alerts when exceeding the set threshold per spending category/desired minimum balance.

Checklist:

• Systematically compare before each purchase
• Fully utilize bulk and promotions
• Favor roommate/outlying neighborhoods for housing
• Opt for public transport as much as possible
• Use mobile apps (comparators/prices/unsold items)
• Join loyalty programs/frequented stores

Adopting these habits not only significantly lightens your monthly budget but also firmly establishes a responsible lifestyle regarding personal finances.