Cost of living 2018 in Bahrain

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Bahrain?
Around 1400 BD per month inclusive for a 4 bedroom in Riffa views.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Dont use public transportation.  But for taxis through careem and uber; it costs around 7 BD from Seef to Riffa.  Around 11 BD from Airport to Riffa.

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
Around 400 BD for a family of four plus one maid.

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Bahrain?
Doctor: Ranges between 15 to 25 BD
Specialist: Ranges between 25 to 40 BD
Dentist: Depends on the procedure

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
Covered by employer

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
650 BD per month at RVIS for one child in Grade 2

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
10-12 BD

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
Up to 150-200 in peak summer months inclusive of municipality tax
Around 60-90 BD in winters inclusive of municipality tax

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
Internet 50 BD per month for Batelco fibre optic
Mobile phone between 12 to 50 BD per month depending on usage

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
Ranges between 3 BD for a normal ticket to 6 for a 3D movie to 10-15 BD for VIP seats

How much does a gym membership cost in Bahrain?
Depends on quality of the gym but around 40-50 BD a month for high end ones

Now this year they introduced Taxes on each and everything but salaries are same living cost is about 50% increased whoever is coming in Bahrain Just think twice.
Job Opportunities are very few. If you joining on one salary remember that it not increase or if increase it will be increment of max 50BHD. Important point in 2017 Bahrain gov increase electricity bills by 200% now in 2018 they going to increase 300%. Also increased traffic fines, Car passing, Insurance, and training drivers fee. And these all things for Expats not for Nationals They getting allowances.

Dear All,

Good Day,

Hope you all doing good!!!!!!!

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Bahrain?
Around 260 BD per month inclusive for a 2 bedroom in Hoora Center of the city.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Dont use public transportation.  But for taxis through careem and uber; it costs around 7 BD from Seef to Riffa.  Around 11 BD from Airport to Riffa.

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
Around 210 BD for a family of four.

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Bahrain?
Doctor: Ranges between 15 to 25 BD
Specialist: Ranges between 25 to 40 BD
Dentist: Depends on the procedure

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
Covered by employer

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
65 BD per month at RVIS for one child in Grade 2

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
10-12 BD

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
Up to 150-200 in peak summer months inclusive of municipality tax
Around 60-90 BD in winters inclusive of municipality tax

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
Internet 50 BD per month for Batelco fibre optic
Mobile phone between 12 to 50 BD per month depending on usage

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
Ranges between 4 BD for a normal ticket to 7 for a 3D movie to 10-15 BD for VIP seats

How much does a gym membership cost in Bahrain?
Depends on quality of the gym but around 40-50 BD a month for high end ones

Thanks
Mohammed Saleem

How much does it cost to rent an apartment or a house in Bahrain?
Understandably, a wide range of rents are available. At the lower end, for a 2-BR apartment in Salmabad costs us upto BD 220 a month. In Manama, the rent could start from BD 250/- a month. A 3-BR apartment costs above BD 325 a month. I have heard of BD 500-850/- a month for 3-BR apartment in modern apartments in Manama, Juffair, although my friends don't seem to be paying more than BD 500/- a month.

How much do you pay on average for public transportation (bus, subway, train, tram, taxi)?
Taxis are available, though not so frequently as in Dubai or in an Indian city. Taxi cost me BD 11/- from Riffa to Airport, and BD 7/- from Adliya to Airport. I haven't tried Uber. City bus costs BD 0.200 - 0.500 per trip, based on the distance traveled. City bus's frequency in the designated routes is good. But, if your place is far from the bus stop, then, your options for commuting to the bus stop have to be thought of.

How much do you pay for basic food items such as rice, bread, and pasta?
A loaf of plain white bread costs BD 0.100 to BD .150/- Milk bread and brown bread would cost BD 0.300 to BD 0.450 a loaf.
A 5-kg rice bag cost me BD 2.500/- and can cost upto BD 4/- a bag. As low as BD 2/- is achievable.
Pasta pack, 450 grams, cost me BD 0.300/- and can cost upto BD 0.750/-

What is your monthly budget for groceries?
For a family of 2, BD 100-200 is to be expected. As low as BD 60/- is achievable, if managed frugally. I have seen bachelor employees manage in BD 25 to 40/- per person. For a family of 4, BD 150 - 275 is to be expected.

How much does it cost to see a doctor/dentist/physician/specialist in Bahrain?
If covered by employer in their health scheme, these doctor costs are paid by employer. Otherwise, it costs BD 5 to 10/- to see a doctor/ physician/ dentist. A specialist could cost BD 10 - 35/-

How much do you pay for health insurance per month?
My employer pays for my health insurance. For my family members & occasionally for me, we pay for the consultation and medicines in private hospitals. But, we do not pay for health insurance.

What is your child's schooling budget per month?
It cost me around BD 50/- (includes school bus) for "+2 grade" in an Indian school. For lower classes, I have heard of BD 30/- plus, in an Indian school. A couple of other Indian schools could cost BD 5 to 15/- more. I do not know about other international schools.

How much does it cost to fill up your car's fuel tank?
On 14-Jan-2018, it cost me BD 8/- to fill the tank full with Jayyid fuel for my 3.5L Toyota sedan.

How much do you pay for electricity/gas/water etc., per month?
Electricity, Water, Municipality tax are combined in one bill. Muni. Tax is usually the costliest of these 3 in the bill, as it is approximately 10% of the house rent. BD 48/- has been paid in Dec 2017. A few months ago, my bill was almost BD 58/-

How much do you pay for your internet and phone subscription?
I paid for Landline, BD 3/- a month; Post-paid mobile BD 12/- a month with data pack; home internet BD 10/- a month. Lesser than my payments are achievable, if someone can plan his/ her phone & internet cost frugally.

How much do you pay for your lunch pack on weekdays?
A simple veggie meal in a simple, hygienic Indian restaurant cost me BD 0.8 to 1.2/- A meal in a luxury Indian restaurant can cost from BD 2 to 7/- depending on how large the meal is.

How much do you pay for an espresso coffee?
A glass of instant coffee cost me BD 0.250 to BD 0.350/- (not espresso, as in Starbucks or similar)

How much do you pay for a cinema ticket?
BD 3/-