Cost of Living: Bahrain vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Bahrain and United Kingdom.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Bahrain is 35.3% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Sports And Leisure, where costs are 91.3% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $65 in Bahrain for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 68.7%

Bahrain is 68.7% cheaper

Property Prices 62.5%

Bahrain is 62.5% cheaper

Household Utilities 59.3%

Bahrain is 59.3% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 35.3%

Bahrain is 35.3% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Sports And Leisure +91.3%
  • Mobile and Internet +14.8%

Is Bahrain cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Bahrain is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Bahrain are 35.3% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Bahrain is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 68.7% cheaper
  • Property Prices 62.5% cheaper
  • Household Utilities 59.3% cheaper

Where Bahrain is more expensive:

  • Sports And Leisure 91.3% more expensive
  • Mobile and Internet 14.8% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Bahrain: 7.56 $ United Kingdom: 20.35 $
62.9% cheaper in Bahrain

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Bahrain: 870.81 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
38.3% cheaper in Bahrain

Monthly public transport pass

Bahrain: 31.83 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
66.5% cheaper in Bahrain

1 liter of gasoline

Bahrain: 0.50 $ United Kingdom: 1.95 $
74.4% cheaper in Bahrain

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Bahrain is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 35.3% on living expenses by choosing Bahrain over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

35.3%

Bahrain is 35.3% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

38.9%

Bahrain is 38.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

48.3%

Bahrain is 48.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

68.7%

Bahrain is 68.7% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

30.0%

Bahrain is 30.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

59.3%

Bahrain is 59.3% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

14.8%

Bahrain is 14.8% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

91.3%

Bahrain is 91.3% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

58.9%

Bahrain is 58.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

18.1%

Bahrain is 18.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

35.6%

Bahrain is 35.6% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

62.5%

Bahrain is 62.5% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

32.9%

Bahrain is 32.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Bahrain United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 7.56 $ 20.35 $ 62.9%
Bahrain is 62.9% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 53.05 $ 88.17 $ 39.8%
Bahrain is 39.8% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.96 $ 10.17 $ 21.7%
Bahrain is 21.7% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 5.01 $ 4.62 $ 8.4%
Bahrain is 8.4% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.89 $ 2.41 $ 63.1%
Bahrain is 63.1% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.36 $ 1.72 $ 79.1%
Bahrain is 79.1% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.68 $ 1.53 $ 55.6%
Bahrain is 55.6% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.95 $ 1.17 $ 237.6%
Bahrain is 237.6% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.67 $ 1.69 $ 1.2%
Bahrain is 1.2% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.41 $ 1.67 $ 15.6%
Bahrain is 15.6% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.57 $ 2.21 $ 16.3%
Bahrain is 16.3% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 2.60 $ 4.03 $ 35.5%
Bahrain is 35.5% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 9.55 $ 9.73 $ 1.8%
Bahrain is 1.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 7.49 $ 8.96 $ 16.4%
Bahrain is 16.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 11.27 $ 16.31 $ 30.9%
Bahrain is 30.9% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.47 $ 2.97 $ 16.8%
Bahrain is 16.8% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.13 $ 1.64 $ 29.9%
Bahrain is 29.9% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 2.08 $ 2.88 $ 27.8%
Bahrain is 27.8% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.36 $ 3.54 $ 61.6%
Bahrain is 61.6% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.94 $ 1.65 $ 43.0%
Bahrain is 43.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.05 $ 1.55 $ 32.3%
Bahrain is 32.3% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.67 $ 1.14 $ 46.5%
Bahrain is 46.5% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 31.83 $ 94.95 $ 66.5%
Bahrain is 66.5% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 6.37 $ 20.33 $ 68.7%
Bahrain is 68.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.86 $ 3.26 $ 73.6%
Bahrain is 73.6% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 5.31 $ 5.43 $ 2.2%
Bahrain is 2.2% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 3.98 $ 2.41 $ 65.1%
Bahrain is 65.1% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 33.16 $ 27.13 $ 22.2%
Bahrain is 22.2% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 0.50 $ 1.95 $ 74.4%
Bahrain is 74.4% cheaper
New Economy Car 34,485.59 $ 38,367.32 $ 10.1%
Bahrain is 10.1% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 20,711.76 $ 40,488.21 $ 48.8%
Bahrain is 48.8% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 131.38 $ 322.47 $ 59.3%
Bahrain is 59.3% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.05 $ 17.46 $ 54.9%
Bahrain is 54.9% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 41.65 $ 42.38 $ 1.7%
Bahrain is 1.7% cheaper
Gym Membership 78.88 $ 46.25 $ 70.6%
Bahrain is 70.6% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 55.18 $ 15.82 $ 248.8%
Bahrain is 248.8% more expensive
Movie Ticket 10.61 $ 13.56 $ 21.8%
Bahrain is 21.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 460.20 $ 1,710.49 $ 73.1%
Bahrain is 73.1% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 8,725.47 $ 20,621.65 $ 57.7%
Bahrain is 57.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 47.40 $ 90.04 $ 47.4%
Bahrain is 47.4% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 55.71 $ 44.62 $ 24.9%
Bahrain is 24.9% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 87.74 $ 101.31 $ 13.4%
Bahrain is 13.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 87.13 $ 103.43 $ 15.8%
Bahrain is 15.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 870.81 $ 1,411.39 $ 38.3%
Bahrain is 38.3% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 610.25 $ 1,145.39 $ 46.7%
Bahrain is 46.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,733.97 $ 2,337.19 $ 25.8%
Bahrain is 25.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,131.34 $ 1,852.21 $ 38.9%
Bahrain is 38.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,542.21 $ 6,334.38 $ 59.9%
Bahrain is 59.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,730.42 $ 5,062.78 $ 65.8%
Bahrain is 65.8% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,163.99 $ 3,229.12 $ 33.0%
Bahrain is 33.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 7.97 5.75 38.6%
Bahrain is 38.6% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United Kingdom. Enter your monthly expenses in Bahrain to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Bahrain and United Kingdom goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Bahrain vs United Kingdom

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Bahrain

United Kingdom

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Bahrain Cost of living in United Kingdom

Related comparisons