Cost of living in Kuwait compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 21% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kuwait is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dinar 5.076 ($17) | $17 | - 5% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dinar 2.278 ($7) | $9 | - 19% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dinar 1.194 ($3.91) | $5.11 | - 24% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dinar 0.452 ($1.48) | $0.99 | + 49% | |
12 eggs, large | Dinar 0.891 ($2.91) | $3.32 | - 12% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dinar 1.567 ($5.13) | $4.42 | + 16% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dinar 2.125 ($7) | $7 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dinar 0.916 ($3.00) | $3.92 | - 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dinar 0.591 ($1.93) | $1.92 | + 1% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.37 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $16 | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dinar 0.403 ($1.32) | $2.26 | - 42% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dinar 0.276 ($0.90) | $2.48 | - 64% | |
Housing | - 37% | |||
Housing in Kuwait is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dinar 506 ($1,655) | $2,518 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dinar 362 ($1,186) | $1,978 | - 40% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dinar 35 ($113) | $203 | - 44% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dinar 334 ($1,091) | $1,771 | - 38% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dinar 182 ($594) | $1,345 | - 56% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dinar 60 ($195) | $138 | + 41% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dinar 7 ($22) | $56 | - 60% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dinar 67 ($218) | $301 | - 27% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 34 ($111) | $134 | - 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dinar 2.397 ($8) | $12 | - 36% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dinar 9 ($29) | $27 | + 8% | |
Clothes | + 16% | |||
Clothes in Kuwait is 16% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dinar 16 ($52) | $51 | + 3% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dinar 19 ($61) | $46 | + 34% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 31 ($103) | $92 | + 12% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dinar 28 ($90) | $119 | - 24% | |
Transportation | - 46% | |||
Transportation in Kuwait is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dinar 3,921 ($12,824) | $25,479 | - 50% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dinar 0.092 ($0.30) | $1.07 | - 72% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dinar 13 ($43) | $78 | - 45% | |
Personal Care | - 3% | |||
Personal Care in Kuwait is about the same as in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 2.588 ($8) | $7 | + 15% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dinar 8 ($27) | $19 | + 43% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dinar 21 ($69) | $123 | - 44% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dinar 1.000 ($3.27) | $7 | - 56% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dinar 1.250 ($4.09) | $4.19 | - 2% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dinar 1.858 ($6) | $5.48 | + 11% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dinar 1.454 ($4.75) | $4.24 | + 12% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dinar 1.146 ($3.75) | $2.11 | + 78% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dinar 7 ($23) | $26 | - 9% | |
Entertainment | - 16% | |||
Entertainment in Kuwait is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dinar 14 ($45) | $49 | - 7% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dinar 7 ($22) | $27 | - 18% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dinar 96 ($312) | $196 | + 60% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dinar 17 ($57) | $83 | - 32% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $13 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dinar 1.757 ($5.75) | $5.20 | + 11% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $6 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dinar 111 ($364) | $483 | - 25% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dinar 0.051 ($0.17) | $0.17 | - 0% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dinar 10 ($34) | $52 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dinar 1.090 ($3.57) | $9 | - 61% | |
TOTAL | - 31% |

These prices were last updated on May 27, 2022.
Exchange rate:
3.271
USD
/
KWD
Cost of living in Kuwait is 31% cheaper than in United States
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