Cost of living in Kuwait compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Kuwait is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dinar 5.024 ($16) | $20 | - 17% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dinar 1.980 ($6) | $10 | - 38% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dinar 1.805 ($5.84) | $5.78 | + 1% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dinar 0.743 ($2.40) | $1.09 | + 121% | |
12 eggs, large | Dinar 1.016 ($3.29) | $4.96 | - 34% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dinar 0.592 ($1.92) | $4.65 | - 59% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dinar 2.236 ($7) | $7 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dinar 1.109 ($3.59) | $4.52 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dinar 0.457 ($1.48) | $2.36 | - 37% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.29 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $16 | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Dinar 0.392 ($1.27) | $2.91 | - 56% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dinar 0.158 ($0.51) | $2.84 | - 82% | |
Housing | - 4% | |||
Housing in Kuwait is about the same as in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dinar 681 ($2,203) | $2,973 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dinar 422 ($1,364) | $2,268 | - 40% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dinar 306 ($990) | $223 | + 343% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dinar 399 ($1,292) | $2,001 | - 35% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dinar 344 ($1,113) | $1,513 | - 26% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dinar 284 ($920) | $150 | + 513% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dinar 10 ($31) | $64 | - 51% | |
40” flat screen tv | Dinar 82 ($264) | $292 | - 9% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 24 ($78) | $142 | - 45% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dinar 3.580 ($12) | $14 | - 18% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dinar 2.897 ($9) | $32 | - 71% | |
Clothes | + 26% | |||
Clothes in Kuwait is 26% more expensive than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dinar 20 ($63) | $56 | + 13% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dinar 23 ($73) | $48 | + 52% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 29 ($95) | $95 | - 0% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dinar 28 ($91) | $125 | - 27% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in Kuwait is 27% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dinar 12,421 ($40,178) | $27,698 | + 45% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dinar 0.144 ($0.47) | $1.03 | - 55% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Dinar 15 ($48) | $83 | - 41% | |
Personal Care | - 20% | |||
Personal Care in Kuwait is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dinar 1.873 ($6) | $9 | - 31% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dinar 4.032 ($13) | $24 | - 45% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dinar 29 ($93) | $152 | - 38% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dinar 2.011 ($7) | $9 | - 26% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dinar 2.742 ($9) | $4.89 | + 81% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dinar 2.532 ($8) | $7 | + 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Dinar 0.607 ($1.96) | $4.88 | - 60% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Dinar 0.520 ($1.68) | $2.20 | - 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dinar 4.865 ($16) | $29 | - 46% | |
Entertainment | - 10% | |||
Entertainment in Kuwait is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Kuwait | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dinar 18 ($57) | $57 | + 0% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Dinar 7 ($23) | $29 | - 22% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dinar 20 ($64) | $234 | - 73% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dinar 31 ($101) | $92 | + 10% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $14 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dinar 1.886 ($6) | $5.40 | + 13% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $7 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dinar 135 ($436) | $549 | - 21% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dinar 0.041 ($0.13) | $0.20 | - 33% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Dinar 27 ($86) | $61 | + 42% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dinar 1.026 ($3.32) | $10 | - 68% | |
TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on September 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3.235
USD
/
KWD
Cost of living in Kuwait is 16% cheaper than in United States
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