Cost of Living in Kuwait

Updated: January 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to Kuwait, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Kuwait?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Kuwait and whether the reported $1964 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $2243.16.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

Kuwait

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	6.43 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	48.23 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	6.43 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	--
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	--
Cappuccino (regular)	4.61 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	0.53 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.36 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	1.41 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	0.85 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	1.79 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	1.81 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	4.42 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	4.55 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	9.31 $
Apples (1 lb)	2.03 $
Banana (1 lb)	1.7 $
Oranges (1 lb)	1.67 $
Tomato (1 lb)	1.3 $
Potato (1 lb)	1.11 $
Onion (1 lb)	0.93 $
Lettuce (1 head)	1.81 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	0.5 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	--
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	--
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	--
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	3.05 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	0.96 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	46.62 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	3.22 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	3.22 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	9.65 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	0.33 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	20577.79 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	16905.5 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	40.94 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.13 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	29.33 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	111.0 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	49.35 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	11.25 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	312.53 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	5825.01 $

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	48.78 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	49.99 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	96.76 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	102.57 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	862.41 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	662.96 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	1734.46 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	1323.98 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	5478.08 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	3118.82 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	2243.16 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	5.27 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 6.43 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 48.23 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.41 USD, a loaf of bread 0.85 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 1.81 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.96 USD and a monthly pass around 46.62 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 40.94 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 111.0 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 49.35 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 312.53 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 5825.01 USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 48.78 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 96.76 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 862.41 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 662.96 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 5478.08 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 3118.82 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 2243.16 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 5.27% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in Kuwait

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Kuwait is a safe place to travel to, the crime rates are fairly low and the possibilities of foreigners being harmed in any way or attacked are highly unlikely. However, what makes Kuwait a country with a reputation of being unsafe is terrorism risks.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH

Bear in mind that hailing a taxi from the road is not recommended, particularly for women. There have been reports of passengers being harassed while doing so. Try to book a taxi in advance and use a reputable taxi company, or get to know a good taxi driver to drive you around Kuwait. Never try to drive yourself as driving standards in Kuwait are extremely poor.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Petty crime is not common in Kuwait, but you should still exercise all basic precaution measures you would at home or in any other country.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

When it comes to weather and environmental hazards, sand and dust storms are common and flooding can occur occasionally. Since it's a Gulf state, Kuwait often experiences extremely high temperatures, so during the hottest months, the temperature regularly reaches as high as 50ºC, sometimes even higher.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Violence towards foreigners is rare, so chances of getting mugged, attacked or kidnapped are low. However, you should avoid public gatherings or demonstrations of any kind as they can turn violent.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Kuwait. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by visitors. In June 2015, 27 people were killed, including foreigners and 227 people were injured in a terrorist attack during Friday prayers on a mosque in Kuwait during Ramadan.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Scams exist in Kuwait as much as in other destinations, so have your wits with you when interacting with locals. Double-check your change and negotiate everything in advance. Beware of young Arabs pretending to be the police. They often ask for documents like passports or civil IDs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

It is recommended for women to avoid walking alone in isolated and poorly lit areas at night and to travel with a companion if possible. Since the beginning of 2007, there have been at least three attempted sexual assaults against foreign women in Kuwait City. Two of these assaults were committed by a person posing as a police officer.

Cost of Living in Kuwait

Kuwait

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing