Cost of living in Kuwait — 2015

Since no one's replied to this thread yet..

Currently living in Maiden Hawalli

> accommodation prices: 900KD for mediocre three bedroom flat

> food prices (your monthly budget) 200KD for groceries, 200KD for dining out

> energy prices (oil, electricity) Around 10KD for gas and electricity is included in rent

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) Around 50KD

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant: on average 30KD for two

> price for a coffee or a drink: around 4KD for coffee for two

> gym membership: 1350KD for two (2014 price)

> dog food: 40KD for two dogs (one big, one small)

Guess I'll be a follower today...

Currently living in the southern city area (Fintas to Fahaheel)

> accommodation prices: 500KD for average furnished 2 bedroom flat (the furnishings are lets say 'cheap', to be nice)

> food prices (your monthly budget) 80KD for groceries, 200KD for dining out (single person)

> energy prices (oil, electricity)  gas and electricity is included in rent

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) Around 50KD

> price for a good menu in a "traditional" restaurant: on average 8KD for one

> price for a coffee or a drink: around 1- 2KD

> cinema tickets: 3KD for normal seating

> car/suv lease (monthly): 120 - 150KD for average car / 150 - 200KD for average suv

> tank of gas: 3KD for a  car / 5KD for suv ... weekly event for me

> gym membership: 500KD annual for one (with KOC discount)
(although a lot accommodations will have a small gym and pool in the building as part of rent)

I guess on average I spend about 1000KD per month as a single male western expat (but a good portion of that is supplemented by my employer)

These rates reflect western expat pricing, and I'm more then sure there are many non-western expats on this site living at 'much' more reasonable rates...   

Hi tinataitlyn and Enigmausly,

I would like to thank you for your contribution to this thread and for having shared with us these very useful information. 

Have a nice day

Priscilla 

I was preparing a spreadsheet of the comparative costs between here and the UK, groceries mostly, I'd take our weekly shopping here and compare to ASDA on-line prices. I was doing this as I was trying to convince my employer it was more expensive here for us, their 'official' advice was it was cheaper here, none of us believe it (except the petrol of course). Anyway for the list of groceries I was buying compared to the UK it is 43% more expensive.
I know this isn't much help if you're not from the UK
Other than that we pay 550KD for a furnished 3 bed apartment in Salmiya, its a bit down market. Internet costs 10KD/month and is poor. My Colleague pays 650KD for a nice unfurnished apartment in Rumathiya

Hope this helps

@BrianInKuwait: groceries here in Kuwait are definitely more expensive! I moved here from NYC where I paid less for fresher organic groceries with delivery 

i think the problem with organic stuff is simply, you eat it to live longer, so companies charge u an arm and a leg for it. its quite unfair for all the healthy food to cost more than the less-healthier alternative, like what i talked about herein 2011!

make no mistake, current market outlook is not good - the price of commodities and foods will most likely rise as a result of the drop in oil prices - as is evident by any who have gone to Infoconnect in Mishref - last year I scored a 4MBit connection with Fasttelco for 38KD, now its priced at 90+!

so yes, foodstuffs will rise - the topic should be how to still score cheap(er) goods - and that is by going around to co-ops, different co-ops offer different prices (as well as brands).

so happy shopping "/

@legacy: I think there's a huge misconception about organic food here. It hasn't been scientifically proven that organic food makes you live longer. I grew up near one of the largest farmers market in the states so naturally my family went groceries shopping there and for us it's about supporting your local businesses and farmers. It didn't hurt that 91% of the time the groceries were cheaper and also fresher so it made totally sense to support the little guys.

Nowadays the word organic and farmers market is just being thrown away because it's trendy. While it's normal in groceries store to see organic products priced A LITTLE higher than its regular counterpart here in Kuwait it's a significant differences. I'm no strangers to expensive groceries but I do find it alarming that what I'm paying in KD is the US price tag making it three times more expensive 

woe-is-we :'(

so ur saying that back in the States organic food is CHEAPER than regular?!
what sorcery is this?!

Good day all! I posted this in the Spanish section as well. I have lived in Kuwait for six and a half years and live in Ahmadi. My family pays KD 650 by a two-story house 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 rooms, one diwania, patio, 2 kitchens everything is about 400 meters. Before writing the cost of living in Kuwait I want to clarify something. Here wages vary depending on nationality and if one has high school diploma or Higher Education degree.

In areas of Fahaheel, Manqaf, Abu Halifa, Mahboula, Fintas, Eqaila, and Rigga the cost of living is:
> How much for rent?
Unfurnished
Apartment in Villa
2 bedrooms, kitchen, 1 or 2 bathrooms, living 250 kd or more
3 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 or 2 bathrooms, living 300 kd or more
4 or more bedrooms 3 or more baths, living room or two, kitchen kd 350 or more
Apartment Building unfurnished
Studio with kitchen and bathroom 100 kd or more
1 bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom 150 kd or more
2 bedrooms, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, room 200 kd or more
3 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 bathrooms, living 250 kd or more
> Public transport: the bus starts from 0.200 kd, no train or subway. Taxis are all crooks.

> Budget for the food: milk per liter 0.650 kd, 30 eggs = 1.050 kd, fresh whole chicken = 1.250 kd, whole frozen chicken = 0.800 kd, pan = 0.150 kd, cheese 24 slices = 0.900 kd juice, Chinese per liter kd = 0.600, white rice 5 lbs = 4,000 kd. At home we are 4 people and spend about 100 kd a month on groceries.

> Medical expenses: If you use the Public Hospitals leaves 1 kd per visit. If you have the money to private insurance you can use private hospitals. Although the experience of my family's quality is the same or worse in the private hospital and the public. The only difference is that they speak English in private hospitals, but also speak English in public hospitals. But beyond you.

> Education No free and it all depends on where they study

> Energy: utilities are included with rent. Gasoline is at 0.060 per liter kd that is cheaper than a liter of water.

> Invoices: Fixed Telephone are 30 KD per year. A cell can go 5 kd and 55 kd per month depending on you. The internet is also dependent but is between 16 kd and 26 kd per month.

> Prices for lunch at a traditional restaurant can go on 1 kd and 20 kd per person depending on you.

> Prices of coffee goes to 1,400 kd and alcohol is illegal.

> Go to the movies I never been to a cinema.

Here the important thing to understand is that you live as you want. If you have high salary and do not like to spend beyond you and if you have low salary can still survive.

Thanks everybody. It is a useful forum. Currently I am living in Dubai. I may get an offer from Kuwait soon and am considering about moving over there. (I work in higher education section). I have heard of many things like the life there is a lot cheaper than dubai but I am wondering if it is true..

I am a single guy at 30, so I only need a studio or a one bedroom for my living. Can I get one around 250-300 KD?  Other than the rent, I don't see that the living expense in Kuwait can be a lot cheaper than dubai. 

Is there anyone here who has lived in both dubai and kuwait? Any information regarding the difference between kuwait and dubai in terms of living expense is very welcome.

Thanks all

wooow  like seriously

Hello @Enigmausly Its seems you know all data, please could you be so kind to tell me how much is a good salary in Kuwait ?

Regards

Hi, I am a single Malaysian working in kuwait for the past 2 and half years. My expenses are as below:

1) Accommodation in Mahboula: studio fully furnished 200kd+5kd for Harris (it's quite a shabby building with shabby furnitures, but most of the furnitures I swapped with my own, eventhough it came with their own)
2) Internet: it comes free with the building but I have my own router so it's much faster, Viva 18kd (got a free mini iPad with that contract)
3) Phone bill: 10kd a month when I paid 100kd for the iPhone. Comes with 1Gb internet and no idea how many sms and calls since I hardly use them
4) Transport: I pay a driver to send and pick me up from work. Monthly is around 25kd a month
5) OSN TV service: standard package of 15kd a month
6) Food: I hardly cook since it's just me, so I usually get delivery from talabat.com. Per meal would cost an average of less than 5kd per day and I usually have enough leftovers to bring to work next day for lunch.

Although it does seem like I hardly spend, I do travel a lot (at least once every 2-3 months) to which a lot of my expenses goes to.

Good day all! I  I have lived in Kuwait for 2y rs and lived in Reggai. I want to clarify something. Here wages vary depending on nationality and if one has high school diploma or Higher Education degree.

In areas of Fahaheel, Manqaf, Abu Halifa, Mahboula, Fintas, Eqaila, and Rigga the cost of living is:
> How much for rent?
Unfurnished
Apartment in Villa
2 bedrooms, kitchen, 1 or 2 bathrooms, living 250 kd or more
3 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 or 2 bathrooms, living 300 kd or more
4 or more bedrooms 3 or more baths, living room or two, kitchen kd 350 or more
Apartment Building unfurnished
Studio with kitchen and bathroom 100 kd or more
1 bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom 150 kd or more
2 bedrooms, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, room 200 kd or more
3 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 bathrooms, living 250 kd or more
> Public transport: the bus starts from 250 fils, no train or subway. Taxis are all crooks.

> Budget for the food: milk per liter 0.650 kd, 30 eggs = 1.050 kd, fresh whole chicken = 1.250 kd, whole frozen chicken = 0.800 kd, pan = 0.150 kd, cheese 24 slices = 0.900 kd juice, Chinese per liter kd = 0.600, white rice 5 lbs = 4,000 kd. At home we are 4 people and spend about 100 kd a month on groceries.

> Medical expenses: If you use the Public Hospitals leaves 1 kd per visit. If you have the money to private insurance you can use private hospitals. Although the experience of my family's quality is the same or worse in the private hospital and the public. The only difference is that they speak English in private hospitals, but also speak English in public hospitals. But beyond you.

> Education No free and it all depends on where they study

> Energy: utilities are included with rent. Gasoline is at 0.060 per liter kd that is cheaper than a liter of water.

> Invoices: Fixed Telephone are 30 KD per year. A cell can go 5 kd and 55 kd per month depending on you. The internet is also dependent but is between 16 kd and 26 kd per month.

> Prices for lunch at a traditional restaurant can go on 1 kd and 20 kd per person depending on you.

> Prices of coffee goes to 1,400 kd and alcohol is illegal.

> Go to the movies I never been to a cinema.

It is always tough to control your expenses in Kuwait. your Half of salary goes to your Accomodation if you want to live as per your salary and designation standards.

Not Worth spending time in Kuwait as weather everyone knows now

Not at all worth investing anymore because in other countries you get better return now Kuwait is moving toward big money make more money concept

Not at all one would like to stay back here as social life is death but because there was a thick money matter was giving u an opportunity

It is a good time to discuss this and let people make their decision toward settling back into their own countries as soon as possible without delaying any more. Immaterial how good your situation but you must find settlement at your own country IT IS TIME

Every one here please have attention

Not anymore we are welcome here because
1. Petrol Prices hike for Expatriates Diesel already 3 times petrol is going on
2. Education Prices hike for Expatriates kids 40% officially declared
3. Medical Prices hike for Expatriates no more free every service u end up paying and services are getting poor because they want you to choose private
4. Rent Prices hike for Expatriates almost double while none has their salary raised nor any plan
5. Businessman are not allowed to hike prices because of the above else they are also reported measures are taken
6. Security on the road is become in the hand of a policeman to let you go despite you are 100% legal
7. Car you can not drive older it has to be a new one else every week you will have problem another way Expatriates dont drive cars

All above are worth to mentioned and many more you can add that today to stay with Family in Kuwait you must be earning KD2000 else think of planning to settle back to your own Country within 5 years

Appreciated everyone attentions here please sincere advise

in salmiya :  the min rent for 2 bedrooms appartment  now is : 320-350 KD.

Hello!

I live in Egaila. I spent over 2 months looking for livable accomidation for someone coming from living in Dubai and the US it was shocking.

I pay 430 for a rundown flat in a villa. It came only with a cheap kitchen cabinet and sink. The bathroom didnt even have shower rods.

Car rental is 120 for a Mazda 2 basic car.
Gas/ Petrol- 2kd tp fill tank
Average Meal- 7 kd a person on talabat. Restaurant- 30kd
Fastfood -2kd a meal.
Can of coke- .80fils

Many furnished 2 bedroom apartments were minimum 550 with cheap lived in furniture.
This was Mahboula, Salmiya, Fintas & Egaila.
Unfurnished Apartment- Egaila was 430-500
Shaab- 650

Taxi- minimum 2 kd for westerns

Manicure- 5kd only for polish, 8kd Avenues mall
Highlights Toni & Guy- 90kd
Mens Haircut- 8kd


A couple with no children just on food, rent & bills we spend 1200kd minimum a month.

Hope this helps.

hello guys and gals of Expat.com Kuwait 

Just providing my input on the cost of living here; currently staying in Mangaf
Since 2011, rented a fully furnished apartment 2 bedroom for 350KD (Back in 2011 it was considered very expensive and one could actually get unfurnished apartment 2 bedroom at 200KD ) Yet from my extensive search, since 2013, the rate I am paying ( in relativity of the area size and location) are considered cheap nowadays,

Food wise , if  I ordered from  "Talabat" or Home delivery type .. I could spend average like 300KD on food    ( me and my daughter)

the one that cost an arm and a leg for me would be my daughters education moreover I am not fully covered by my company on this thus a fee of 3700KD per year @ from September till July the next year seems really really absurd actually ( the fees are inclusive of book rentals, uniforms, transportation etc)

> accommodation prices : Sabah Al salem. Free (150KD allowance offered to staff who live out)

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.) 0

> food prices (your monthly budget) 220KD

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance) 1KD a visit - use government clinics. This includes all prescriptions given

> education prices (if you need to pay) Get 80% discount on first child. Hence pay 700KD

> energy prices (oil, electricity) 120KD per year

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) All per year - Internet 100KD, TV 100KD, Phone 30KD, Mobile 20KD

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant Don't eat out at these places.

> price for a coffee or a drink Don't waste money on that sh##e

> price for cinema tickets 0KD

> Car: Petrol 25KD per month. Yearly government registration - 24KD (includes insurance) Repairs - 200KD per year.

> Residency visa - 150 KD per year for wife and son.

> Ethanol: I don't buy it but it's 18KD per 1.5 litre. Most people get through that in 2 weeks. make your own beer/wine.

Well...

Single lady in Kuwait experience:
Accommodation: decided that I don't want to spend a lot on accomodation and limited myself to find something for up to 250kwd. I saw a lot of places even for 300kwd they were...pardon my french... shit but...same like in my hometown patience is the key and in the sea of garbage you can find a jewel so I managed to find a place in Mahboula veeeery nice 190kwd and in Jabriya veeeeery nice 180kwd still deciding which one and definitely going in one of those

Transportation:
I have a company pick up and drop off but after I move I have to handle it on my own so I found a driver 30kwd/month Jabriya-City or 40kwd/month Mahboula-City (until I get my drivers license)
Food:
Groceries 40-50kwd/month
Dinner in a restaurant... well after few times to experience amount of portion which Is huuuuge and then I have leftovers in the next 3 days (8-10kwd) I learned my lesson and I stick to appetizers which I still can't eat all because of the size (2-5kwd)
Shisha:
1-3,500kwd
cigarettes: 0.550-0.750kwd
clothes:
I am not a big shopper so I basically buy when I actually need something (20-40kwd)
I end month with saving enough and still affording everything I need without any restrictions... but that's my lifestyle

Accommodation in Salmyia  : 1 bed room flat  with utilities  : 210 KWD
Grocery / week                     : 40 KWD
Dine out                                : 10 ~ 15 KWD / person
Cigarettes                             : 0.750 KWD / pack
Taxi tariff                               : 1.5 ~ 2 KWD ( 5 ~ 10 km )
Internet                                 : 20 KWD
Mobile                                   : 35 KWD
Gas tank                                : 3 KWD


Average salaries : 500 ~ 700 KWD ....................    ( Majority )
Decent salary for comfy life : 1700 ~ 2000 KWD .... no less

If salary is more than 2000 KWD then you have the chance to go to Dubai for couple of nights every month to practice life instead of just living it.

How much does it cost to live in Kuwait?

> accommodation prices - n/a

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.) - 20.000/mo

> food prices (your monthly budget) 50.000/mo.

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance) - free in our company

> education prices (if you need to pay) n/a

> energy prices (oil, electricity) - 2.000/mo.

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) -54.000/mo

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant - 35.000/table of 2

> price for a coffee or a drink - n/a

> price for cinema tickets - n/a

Living in Mahboula my budget breaks down accordingly:


> accommodation prices: 400 KD for a nice spacious one bedroom with a view of the Sea

> food prices (your monthly budget) 230KD for groceries but I buy organic when I find it and drink water out of glass bottles, 70 to 100 KD KD for dining out

> energy prices (oil, electricity) All included in the rent

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) : 8 KD a month for internet, I have a company phone and everything else in included in the rent

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant: around 15 to 20 KD per person.

> price for a coffee or a drink: Coffee is expensive here so I dont partake too often but it is between 1.5 to 2 KD.

> gym membership: 940 KD a year

> I avoid buying all clothing items or electronics in Kuwait. There is a significant import tax on these items and it is cheaper to buy them outside of Kuwait, if you can.

> Movies at one of the malls are between 12 to 14 KD for two people

> Transportation: I am working on getting my DL so I am a new and best customer of a couple taxi drivers. I am involved in a lot of activities and spend 70 KD a month on taxis.

All in all compared to expat hot spots such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha etc... Kuwait has a cost of living that is significantly less and I am enjoying it.

pakenrroe wrote:

Hello @Enigmausly Its seems you know all data, please could you be so kind to tell me how much is a good salary in Kuwait ?

Regards

Far from all knowing Pakenrroe... lol

Not to avert the question, but I've posted multiple times about how salaries work in Kuwait... Click on my profile and scroll down to the posts related to salaries... Thanks and good luck!

Hope everyone is doing well 

Hey all.. replies here could help any newcomers to Kuwait. Here are my replies. My replies are based on a household of 5 including myself, my wife, two children, and a nanny.

> accommodation prices : 2 bedroom apartment in Hawally for 400 KD

> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.) : around 1.5 - 3 KD

> food prices (your monthly budget) : approximately KD 250 - KD 350

> health prices (for those who need medical insurance) : My employer provides medical insurance for the family. But for those who dont have it, usual consultations are KD 20 - KD 30 depending on the doctor.

> education prices (if you need to pay) : Quite expensive. It depends on what school you put your kids in. My son is in the French School in pre-KG and his tuition is 1,800 KD per year. Could go up to KD 3,000 per year in later years.

> energy prices (oil, electricity) : Electricity around 100 KD per year.

> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) : House phone KD 45 per year. Mobiles KD 70 per month. Internet KD 120 per year.

> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant : On average KD 10 per person

> price for a coffee or a drink : KD 1.5 - K D 2 at Starbucks

> price for cinema tickets : KD 3

> Gasoline for cars: KD 10 per month

Hope this helps.

Thank you all for your contribution

Shaazia
Expat.com Team

Holyyyyyyy cow!!! I'm paying WAY too much for rent compared to everyone else who answered and I don't even have a doorman, lounge, dry cleaners, garage or someone to open my doors for me anymore 

tinataitlyn wrote:

Holyyyyyyy cow!!! I'm paying WAY too much for rent compared to everyone else who answered and I don't even have a doorman, lounge, dry cleaners, garage or someone to open my doors for me anymore 

I just thought you were high maintenance!  wear it proud! lol 

Hello everybody

I just got a proposition for job as a flight attendent, for KD650 could be more, with appartement, food, 60litres per day gasoline card.

I want to know how much the car, phone, cafée, gym.... expenses and how much i can save. And i want to know if it's a good salery because i'm still in university and i'm planing to leave it and go for this job

Thank's for replying

With all basic expenses payed by your company yeah it's more than enough of money to start your career and to save money. You will have more than enough with that

it does seem very high. How long have you been there? Maybe it is time to re-negotiate?

I think we are paying far too much for our apartment as well. KD550. It is very tatty..

We have to pay extra for internet. No pool. No roof top. No allocated parking. Crap gym.

U better look for another better and cheaper place
It also depends on the area U r renting in,,

Hello everyone,

The idea behind this thread is to have a list of the different prices of some products and services in Kuwait. If you have any other topic that you wish to discuss, please do not hesitate to create a new thread on the Kuwait forum so as to avoid being off-topic here.

Thank you,

Shaazia
Expat.com Team

> accommodation prices   - 1300 for villa in Salwa (5 BR)
> public transportation fares (tube, bus etc.) - NA
> food prices (your monthly budget) - Eating out KD 200 - 250 (family),groceries KD 200
> health prices (for those who need medical insurance) - covered
> education prices (if you need to pay) - KD 2500 per child (junior) per year for English curriculum
> energy prices (oil, electricity) - included in rent, KD 5 per week for car
> common bills (Internet, television, telephone, mobile phone) - NA
> price for a good menu in a traditional restaurant - KD 30 - 50 (family)
> price for a coffee or a drink - KD 2 - 3
> price for cinema tickets - KD 3.5

Hello,

I will appreciate if you can help me to get an idea about the cost of living in kuwait, I got an offer, They will pay me 585KWD per month, plus House, Car, Private health insurance, do you think is good to start?

Thanks
Regards,
Andres

andrs23 wrote:

Hello,

I will appreciate if you can help me to get an idea about the cost of living in kuwait, I got an offer, They will pay me 585KWD per month, plus House, Car, Private health insurance, do you think is good to start?

Thanks
Regards,
Andres

Welcome.

For the information please read through the many posts on this section of the forum. Most of what you are seeking has been asked before and answers given. If you then have any specific questions please ask.

andrs23 wrote:

Hello,

I will appreciate if you can help me to get an idea about the cost of living in kuwait, I got an offer, They will pay me 585KWD per month, plus House, Car, Private health insurance, do you think is good to start?

Thanks
Regards,
Andres

with all the plus's you'll be fine (single) ... many live on less ... good starting point

good luck and have fun