Cost of Living in Bahrain: Updated Prices 2025

A small island nation in the Persian Gulf, called Bahrain, is famous for its cultural heritage, rich history, and contemporary lifestyle. More and more Indian expats are moving to the region for various reasons such as tax-free income, excellent career opportunities, great quality of life, world-class education, and so on.

Although Bahrain is small geographically, it provides a good standard of living, strong infrastructure, and is full of friendly, welcoming locals, making it an ideal destination for families, workers, and students.

However, most people who plan to move to Bahrain don’t know the actual cost of Living in Bahrain “But don’t worry” In this detailed blog, we’ll discuss the most recent costs of housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and various other topics to help you decide if you’d like to move to the Gulf nation.

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Cost of Living in Bahrain: A General Overview

Expats and professionals from all over the world are drawn to Bahrain because it is much less expensive to live here compared to many other Gulf countries.

Rental cost is often one of the biggest chunks of the budget, especially in the popular places of Juffair, Amwaj Islands, and Seef, however, Bahrain offers many housing choices depending on different budgets.

Groceries and other household essentials are available at reasonable prices in both local and international supermarket chains. Public transport is not fully developed, but taxis and other ride-sharing services are aplenty, and the most affordable way of mobility in Bahrain is owning a car due to relatively cheaper fuel prices. 

The cost of healthcare and education may add to the total cost as they are expensive in Bahrain, especially for expat families opting for the private sector.

International schools are well-regarded and often preferred, but the tuition fees can be on the higher side. A good point is that electricity and water are subsidised.

Other additional costs, such as entertainment, dining out, and leisure activities, can range from affordable to luxurious depending on your lifestyle. 

All in all, Bahrain offers value for money and great living conditions, making it appealing to people moving there.

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Average Monthly Cost of Living in Bahrain

Living in Bahrain is moderately priced compared to the UAE, Qatar, and other GCC countries. Nonetheless, the expenses could differ based on where you are in Bahrain, your lifestyle, and the size of your family.

Individual 

Excluding Rent – BHD 200-400/month 

Including the Rent – BHD 400–600/month

Family of four 

Excluding Rent – BHD 800-1,000 

Inclusive of Rent – BHD 900–1,500/month

Housing and Rent in Bahrain

Rent accounts for a large portion of people’s monthly bills in Bahrain. The cost greatly varies based on the type of accommodation, location, and amenities. Here is a general breakdown;

• One-bedroom apartment in Manama city centre – BHD 250-400

• One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre –  BHD 150-300

• Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre –  BHD 450-800

• Three-bedroom apartment in outer areas – BHD 400-700

Most places include a few furnishings, and several landlords include the basics like water and even internet in the rent. Juffair, Muharraq, and Riffa are popular areas amongst expats for affordable places to live in Bahrain.

Food and Grocery Expenses in Bahrain

Grocery Prices (approx):

• 1 litre Milk – BHD 0.50 (INR 120)
• 1 dozen Eggs – BHD 0.90 (INR 200)
• 1 kg Rice – BHD 0.80 (INR 180)
• 1 kg Chicken – BHD 1.80 (INR 400)
• 1 loaf of Bread – BHD 0.40 (INR 90)
• 1 kg Onion – BHD 0.30 (INR 70)
• Monthly grocery bill of an individual – BHD 60-100
• Monthly grocery bill for a family of 4 – BHD 150-250
• A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant – BHD 2-5
• A full-course meal for two at a slightly mid-range restaurant – BHD 10-25

Transportation Costs in Bahrain

The most preferred way of transportation in Bahrain is through owning a car due to convenience and lower cost of fuel. However, there are different methods of travel available, and the prices are as follows;

• Bus fare (one way) – BHD 0.30-0.50

• Monthly bus pass – BHD 12-15

• Taxi ride – BHD 2-15 (depending on the distance)

• Fuel cost – BHD 0.20/litre 

• Monthly Costs – BHD 25-50 for car owners

Car ownership is common among expats, especially with affordable petrol prices and flexible lease-to-own options.

Healthcare Expenses in Bahrain

Healthcare is an important economic aspect to consider for anybody trying to move abroad. Bahrain has an advanced healthcare system, making both public and private facilities available. Here are some of the approximate costs for healthcare facilities in Bahrain; 

• Consultation at a private clinic – BHD 10-20 (INR 2,200 – 4,400)

• Emergency visit (without insurance) – BHD 50-100+

• Pharmacy bills (monthly average) – BHD 5-15 (INR 1100 – 5500)

The charges at public hospitals are considerably less due to government subsidies, however, many expats prefer private hospitals for quicker service and English-speaking doctors.

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Education Costs in Bahrain

Apart from rent, one of the biggest contributors to the cost of living in Bahrain for families is the education cost for children. International schools in the country are pretty expensive. 

• Annual tuition fees – BHD 1,000-3,500 (INR 2,20,000 – 7,70,000)

• Registration and other school fees – BHD 200 – 500 (INR 45,000 – 1,10,000)

• Uniforms, books, transport – BHD 50- 100/month (INR 11,000 – 22,000 approx.)

Many schools in Bahrain teach using British, CBSE, IB, or American curricula, making it easier for international students to continue with one curriculum irrespective of where they are studying.

Salaries Earned by Indian Expats in Bahrain

The salaries earned by Indian professionals in Bahrain depend mainly on the industry they work in, their experience, and their job role. Here is a detailed breakdown according to the job category;

The average salary for a mid-level professional – BHD 400-800

Minimum wage, generally in a labour role,s earns an average – BHD 150-250

For high-skilled roles such as IT, finance, and healthcare – BHD 1,000 – 3,000+

Many employers in different sectors offer Indian expats perks such as free accommodation, transportation allowances, and so on. These perks lower the cost of living significantly. 

Cost of Living for Different Groups in Bahrain

For a Single Person:

Total Monthly Expenses can range anywhere from BHD 350 to BHD 600, depending on the accommodation type, lifestyle,e and other variable costs. Here are the average approximate costs for a single person in Bahrain; 

• Rent (shared/solo) – BHD 200 – 300

• Food – BHD 70 – 100

• Transport – BHD 20 – 40

• Miscellaneous – BHD 50 – 100

For Families:

For a family of four, the monthly expenses in Bahrain would be in the range of BHD 900 – 1,500. Here is a more detailed breakdown

• Rent (2–3 BHK) – BHD 500 – 800

• Food – BHD 200 – 300

• Education – BHD 100 – 300

• Utilities, outings, etc. – BHD 100 – 200

For Students:

Students can survive on a minimum budget. Approximately, it will cost around BHD 250 – 500 per month for students to live comfortably in Bahrain. 

• Rent (shared/student housing) – BHD 100 – 200

• Food & transport – BHD 100 – 150

• Internet, books, and other miscellaneous costs – BHD 50 – 150

Cost of Living in Bahrain vs Oman

Oman is marginally more budget-friendly compared to Bahrain. However, the cost of living in Bahrain is also not too high. compared to other GCC countries. 

Category	Bahrain	Oman
Rent	Slightly higher	Slightly lower
Groceries	On average, groceries are 10-15% costlier in Bahrain compared to Oman.	Comparatively cheaper
Transport	A tad bit costlier when compared. Approximately 12-15% costlier.	It is easier to travel in Oman due to subsidised fuel costs.
Dining Out	Moderately priced	Compared to Bahrain, dining out in Oman costs 20–30% less.
Healthcare	On a similar level to Oman	Similar to the costs of healthcare in Bahrain

Cost of Living in Bahrain vs India

Bahrain is undoubtedly costlier than India in all aspects, but the tax-free income and other perks make up for the difference. 

Category	Bahrain	India
Rent	Rent in Bahrain is 3 to 5 times more than that in India.	It is much lower compared to Bahrain.
Groceries	Almost twice as expensive as India.	Much more affordable.
Education	It is one of the biggest expenses for expats. Education may cost 4-6 times more than in India.	As with other components, quality education in India is also comparatively much cheaper.
Healthcare	6 to 8 times costlier than India.	Much more affordable.

Cost of Living in Bahrain vs Dubai 

Dubai, being one of the most popular cities in the world, is definitely costlier than Bahrain. Be it for families, students or individuals, Dubai is costlier in all aspects. 

Category	Bahrain	Dubai
Rent	25-30% cheaper compared to Dubai.	The real estate in Dubai is costly and that shows in the rental costs.
Groceries	Not too much difference. 10-15% cheaper than Dubai.	Reasonably priced, just a little higher than Dubai.
Transport	Due to comparatively lower fuel costs, transportation is cheaper in Bahrain.	Travelling in Dubai is 30-40% costlier in comparison.
Dining Out	Cheaper	15-20% costlier.

Conclusion 

Bahrain offers a great experience with just the right balance between being affordable and providing a great quality of life. A stable and culturally rich country, Bahrain has tax-free income, high-quality healthcare, education, and amenities for everyone, making it one of the most preferred destinations for expats from around the world. 

Living in Bahrain can be pleasant and financially rewarding if you budget wisely and take advantage of employer-provided benefits.

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