CostLens
HomeBahrain › Manama

Cost of Living in Manama

Manama, Al ‘Āşimah, Bahrain · Population 727,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Bahrain average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent).د.ب372 ($979)
Couple, monthly.د.ب673 ($1,771)
Family of four, monthly.د.ب883 ($2,323)

Estimated Prices in Manama

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant.د.ب3.56 ($9.36)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range.د.ب14.23 ($37.44)per meal
Cappuccino.د.ب1.07 ($2.81)each
Monthly groceries (single person).د.ب80.62 ($212)per month
Monthly public transport pass.د.ب13.04 ($34.32)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment.د.ب34.38 ($90.48)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited).د.ب9.96 ($26.21)per month
Fitness club membership.د.ب9.96 ($26.21)per month
Cinema ticket.د.ب2.61 ($6.86)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre.د.ب194 ($511)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre.د.ب135 ($355)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre.د.ب405 ($1,066)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Manama is .د.ب1,037 ($2,730) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of .د.ب372 ($979) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly .د.ب484 ($1,273) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (.د.ب135 ($355)) represents about 36% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Manama

Manama vs Al MuḩarraqManama vs Madīnat ḨamadManama vs SitrahManama vs Jidd ḨafşManama vs Madīnat ‘ĪsáManama vs Ad Dirāz

Nearby Cities

Jidd Ḩafş

4 km away · Al ‘Āşimah

Al Muḩarraq

5 km away · Al Muḩarraq

Madīnat ‘Īsá

6 km away · Al Janūbīyah

Karrānah

7 km away · Ash Shamālīyah

Sitrah

8 km away · Al ‘Āşimah

Ad Dirāz

11 km away · Ash Shamālīyah

Madīnat Ḩamad

13 km away · Ash Shamālīyah

Al Hamalah

14 km away · Ash Shamālīyah

Other Major Cities in Bahrain

Al Muḩarraq

Al Muḩarraq · pop. 176,583

.د.ب280 ($736) / mo

Madīnat Ḩamad

Ash Shamālīyah · pop. 133,550

.د.ب280 ($736) / mo

Sitrah

Al ‘Āşimah · pop. 72,601

.د.ب280 ($736) / mo

Jidd Ḩafş

Al ‘Āşimah · pop. 66,588

.د.ب280 ($736) / mo

Madīnat ‘Īsá

Al Janūbīyah · pop. 61,293

.د.ب280 ($736) / mo

Living in Manama

Manama is the capital and one of the key cities in Bahrain. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is .د.ب372 ($979), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around .د.ب135 ($355) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to .د.ب883 ($2,323) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately .د.ب673 ($1,771) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Manama is .د.ب1,037 ($2,730). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least .د.ب484 ($1,273) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manama expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated .د.ب372 ($979) per month in Manama including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Bahrain.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Manama?
A net salary of around .د.ب484 ($1,273) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Manama with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Manama is .د.ب1,037 ($2,730).
How much is rent in Manama?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated .د.ب194 ($511) per month in the city centre and .د.ب135 ($355) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about .د.ب405 ($1,066).
Is Manama cheaper than Bahrain on average?
No — Manama is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Bahrain average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Manama?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at .د.ب81 ($212) in Manama. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about .د.ب4 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around .د.ب1 ($3).
How do transport costs in Manama compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Manama is estimated at .د.ب13 ($34). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Manama are estimates based on Bahrain national averages adjusted for city size (population 727,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.