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Are you considering a move to Manama, Bahrain, and wondering about the cost of living? Manama is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Manama and help you understand whether $2526 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $2224.43.
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
6.63 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
53.06 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
6.63 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
12.6 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
13.26 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
4.97 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.82 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.36 $ |
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.83 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.34 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
1.46 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
2.25 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
8.81 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
8.12 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
8.91 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.12 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.99 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
1.63 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.04 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
0.79 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
0.89 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.34 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.71 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
16.58 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
2.04 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
3.36 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
6.37 $ |
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.8 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
38.47 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
5.31 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
6.1 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
26.53 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.54 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
37140.2 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
22928.39 $ |
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
129.89 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
42.93 $ |
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
68.81 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
54.38 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
9.29 $ |
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
560.89 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
11539.99 $ |
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
54.19 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
75.8 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
99.48 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
79.59 $ |
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
920.77 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
768.27 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1737.63 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
1230.27 $ |
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
2005.57 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
1459.08 $ |
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
2224.43 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
7.54 % |
|
The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 6.63 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 53.06 USD.
Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 1.83 USD, a loaf of bread 1.34 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 2.25 USD.
Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 0.8 USD and a monthly pass around 38.47 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.
For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 129.89 USD.
For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 68.81 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 54.38 USD.
Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 560.89 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately 11539.99 USD.
Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 54.19 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 99.48 USD.
Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 920.77 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 768.27 USD.
If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 2005.57 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 1459.08 USD.
The average monthly net salary here is about 2224.43 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 7.54% annually.
The monthly expenses for living in Manama come to a total of approximately $2526. This includes an average monthly rent of around $920 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $151 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $760 per month.
Living in Manama appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $2224.43. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Manama, you would likely need an income exceeding $2224.43.
In Manama, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $2224.43, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Manama is approximately $920. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $768.27 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Manama can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $401 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Bahrain can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Bahrain.
Manama, Bahrain
The possibility of being kidnapped or mugged in Manama is very low.
The risks in Manama are at the same level as the risks in main European cities, except for scams and kidnapping risk which are very rare in Manama. The overall safety Index is 54 which shows that the crime level in the city is not on the envious level.
Transport and traffic risks are very frequent in Manama due to reckless drivers who do not respect road signs and speed limits. Roads in Manama are of high quality; however, accidents regularly happen, especially during the night since some of the careless drivers do not turn on their lights. You can also rent a car or use taxis to travel around Manama, but bear in mind that the taxis are very expensive.
Manama is a famous holiday destination with a huge number of tourists which in turn leads to the probability of pickpocketing and mugging, so tourists need to take care of the bag snatching that does happen. Airports, market places, and beaches are the target places of the thieves.
Normal and frequent weather conditions in Manama include the enormously high temperatures, over 50°C. There is a risk of sandstorms and severe thunderstorms that occasionally happen.
This region is very prone to terrorist attacks, due to the recent happenings. Since terrorist attacks have already occurred, the possibility of the novel ones is high.
Scams are not common in Manama since there are no recorded scam accidents and the risk of being scammed is considered low.
Women who visit Manama should take safety precautions, avoid speaking with unknown males and bear in mind the cultural differences. Modesty is very important. It is always recommended to avoid isolated districts late at night.
A very useful fact is that people wishing to visit Bahrain not only can find out if they are eligible for a visa via the Internet but also can apply for the visa electronically. For those tourists that are staying less than 30 days, a visa is not obligatory, but their passport has to be valid until the day of the return to their country.
If you are traveling to Manama, you should exchange your currency for the Bahraini Dinar which is the official currency in Bahrain. Most Manama banks, as well as Foreign Exchange Bureaus, exchange foreign currency, but you should pay attention to the exchange rates. The banks at the airport may not offer the most favorable exchange rate.
The characteristic of the weather conditions in Manama and the whole of Bahrain is enormously high temperature, even 50°C. The summers are long and hottest months are from June to September while the winters are cool and windy.
Bahrain International Airport which is in Muharraq, about 7 km from the capital Manama, has international flights with more than 8 million passengers per year. There are shops, bank, pharmacies, and many other facilities at the airport.
Because crime is on the rise in Manama, the tourists should get travel insurance which includes both the medical problems and the theft and loss of personal things. Insurance is ideal for tourists because their family and they are fully protected while staying in Manama.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 68°F | 70°F | 76°F | 86°F | 95°F | 99°F | 102°F | 101°F | 98°F | 91°F | 81°F | 72°F |
| Temp | 63°F | 65°F | 70°F | 79°F | 88°F | 93°F | 95°F | 95°F | 91°F | 85°F | 76°F | 67°F |
| Low | 58°F | 60°F | 65°F | 73°F | 81°F | 86°F | 89°F | 89°F | 85°F | 79°F | 71°F | 62°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 20°C | 21°C | 24°C | 30°C | 35°C | 37°C | 38°C | 38°C | 36°C | 32°C | 27°C | 22°C |
| Temp | 17°C | 18°C | 21°C | 26°C | 31°C | 33°C | 35°C | 35°C | 32°C | 29°C | 24°C | 19°C |
| Low | 14°C | 15°C | 18°C | 22°C | 27°C | 30°C | 31°C | 31°C | 29°C | 26°C | 21°C | 16°C |