LIVING IN KUWAIT :: Cost of Living in Kuwait
IndianInQ8.com – The overall cost of living index for Kuwait City is linked to that of middle cost of living locations. The cost of living index covers the prices for defined quantities of same goods and services across several basket groups. But, the lack of taxation is a major advantage in Kuwait, particularly on certain items like cars. However, the cost of living, just as is the case in any other location, would largely depend on your personal lifestyle.
Before deciding to work in any Countries you should study and learn first its COST OF LIVING like in Kuwait, it is vital to know this information so that you will not ending-up for nothing. You should know how much the Room Rent, Food Cost, Transportation Cost if you are living outside your company premises. If you are buying some other things that you needed for daily living, you must know their price ranges as well. Once you have all this data then you can do your own calculations of these expenses with your given salary.
Real Prices in Kuwait [ KD = Kuwaiti Dinar ]
Housing
There are 3 types of housing that you can choose to rent in Kuwait, this is one of the important things that you can’t read in other websites.
- Flat – an apartment with 2 or 3 rooms and a living room ( Renting Cost = 280 KD to 360 KD )
- Single Room – a room in a Flat ( 100 KD to 150 KD)
- Partition – a partitioned living room or single room ( 50 KD to 80 KD )
Transportation
There are 2 types of transportation that you can use in Kuwait.
- Bus – there are buses to be used as a medium of transportation from your home area to work area (1 ride is ruba or 1/4 Quarter KD ) or Monthly Bus Pass 12 KD per Month.
- Service Van – there are some companies in every area in Kuwait that are providing transport from your home to your workplace (15 KD to 20 KD per month)
Food Cost
Unfortunately, the prices of the food and other products here in Kuwait are two times higher than in your Country. 5 kilos of Rice is 2.5 KD, if you are a Filipino then a 1 kilo of rice will cost you 85 pesos.
Prices of vegetables are very expensive in Kuwait because they are just importing these products from other Countries. You can buy frozen poultry products in any local store and supermarkets for 700 fils (frozen whole chicken). There are some poultry shops that are selling fresh whole chicken that cost 1.250 KD to 1.500 KD (fresh whole chicken).
1 kilo of beef cost 2.500 KD, 1 tray of eggs is 1.250 KD, also you need to buy drinking water, 1 box of water is 1.250 KD (12pcs of 1.5L). Everything in Kuwait is expensive, foods in any restaurant are too expensive for simple workers.
Internet and Gadgets
We are now in the year of technology, without internet and gadget I know you can’t live, to be honest. Luckily, having a good internet and gadget here in Kuwait is cheaper than the other Country in GCC. There is 3 Major Internet Service Provider to choose, you can check their website to see some of their upcoming sales and discounts.
3 Major Internet Service Providers are in Kuwait
Having the latest Gadget and fast internet connection can help you fight loneliness while you are far away from your Family. The greatest news in Kuwait is that you can go to these 3 Major Electronics Company to buy thru cash or buy thru credit and pay the gadget on a monthly basis.
3 Major Electronics Company in Kuwait
Kuwait is a beautiful Country with lots of great opportunities for all the workers and people who wish to work in this Country. If you are just applying here as a skilled worker, better check your salary offered by your Agency and Sponsor, then check the cost of living that is written in this article. Do your own calculation if it’s worth it to go and work here? If you can get the same salary from your current job in your own Country then why you need to go abroad, far away to your Family and Friends?.
Accommodation
Some companies offer free accommodation. Else, you may have to rent a flat. But, the cost of accommodation may be high at times, depending on the facilities offered and the location. Most rented apartments include air-conditioning. Satellite television may be provided, but may not cover all channels. A swimming pool and/or gymnasium may be provided.
Currently, a double bedroom flat in Salmiya costs about KD250 or more. Shared apartments could range from KD80 to KD150, while unfurnished flats may be in the range KD300, fully furnished flats with facilities like gym, swimming pool, could cost KD650, just as that of two or three room villas.
On the whole, cost for housing, household fuel, electricity, water, local rates and residential taxes such as house/flat mortgage, house/flat rental, local property rates/taxes are all comparatively less in comparison to other cities, and are ranked 212 out of 300 in the overall cost of living index.
Clothing
Clothing can turn out to be expensive, if you go by designer labels. But, this is not the case in Kuwait alone. There is little need for winter clothing. Given, the hot climate in the region, plenty of clothing is unnecessary. Office wear for men is mostly shirt and tie, with the exception of formal occasions. In general, clothing and footwear, including business suits, casual clothing, children clothing, coats and hats, evening wear, foot wear and innerwear are all less expensive, in comparison to other cities, ranking 200 out of 300 in the overall cost of living index.
Education
In general, education is expensive in Kuwait, although they have American, English, Indian, Pakistan and Filipino schools, apart from local schools. For those working in government / public sector, and who are sending kids to public schools, the cost of education for kids is free. But, if working in private sector, then you need to pay for their education. The school fee will vary, as each private school has its own policy. Therefore, the cost would depend on the type of school you choose, although majority of them charge well beyond KD1000. In general, cost of crèche/pre-school fee, high school/college fee/primary school fee, tertiary school fees are all equally expensive on average, in comparison to other cities, ranking 126 out of 300 on overall cost of living index.
Food and Grocery
Kuwait is open to variety of cuisine and with lots of restaurants, including Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, American, and Filipino. Restaurants and eating out costs, including that of business dinner, dining at a restaurant, hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks, are expensive in comparison to most other cities with a rank of 36 out of 300 in overall cost of living index.
In case, you chose to purchase internationally branded food items and household goods, you will no-doubt end up paying higher prices than in your home country. But, there are good options available in the local and regional markets that are of great quality. Grocery costs for food and non-alcoholic beverages, cleaning materials including baked goods, baby consumables, canned foods, cheese, baking items, dairy, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, oil, fruit juices, pet food, pre-cooked meals, sauces, snacks, seafood, soft drinks, herbs and spices, are comparatively less than in other cities, ranking 236 out of 300 in overall cost of living index.
Alcohol and Tobacco
The price of wine and spirits, where these are permitted, is slightly lower than in UK, but is higher in comparison to average European prices. The cost of alcoholic beverages including alcohol at bar, locally produced spirit, beer, whiskey, wine and tobacco products including cigarettes are less prices in comparison to other cities.
Utilities: Utilities including electricity, water and gas are subsidized to certain extent by the region’s governments, as the governments own the services (except bottled gas supplies), as they aim to provide electricity and water at subsidized rates, largely for benefit of nationals. Therefore, utilities are cheaper than in majority of European nations. But, during peak summer, air-conditioning costs will surge. Electronic goods including hi-fis, television, DVD players, computer hardware and software, photographic equipment are all less expensive than in other European nations, largely due to lower import duties.
Communication
The cost of communication for home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fee, mobile and cellular phone contract, and calls are less expensive in comparison to other cities. The cost of telephone calls including international calls are kept low by the government, as it seeks to encourage international business and investment in the region. They are ranked 261 out of 300 in overall cost of living index.
Healthcare
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The cost of general healthcare, medical and medical insurance, physician consultation rates, private hospital costs, non-prescription medicines, private medical insurance, and medical aid contribution is comparatively less expensive in comparison to other cities ranking 233 out of 300 in cost of living index.
Transport
The cost for public transport, vehicle fuel, vehicle cost, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance, including hire and purchase of vehicle, petrol, diesel, public transport service maintenance, vehicle insurance, tyres, vehicle purchase are all less expensive than in other cities, and are ranked 287 out of 300 on overall cost of living index. Bus transport is available throughout Kuwait for nearly USD 1, while taxi fare could range from KD 1 to KD 3 or KD 4.
Furniture & Appliance
The cost of furniture, household equipment, including DVD player, iron, kettle, fridge freezer, light bulbs, microwave, vacuum cleaner, television, washing machine, are all less expensive in comparison to other cities, and is ranked 213 out of 300 in cost of living index.
Miscellaneous
The cost pertaining to stationery, general goods, domestic help, dry cleaning, office supplies, magazines and newspapers, postage, are all as expensive as in other cities. Cost of personal care products and services including hair care, cosmetics, tablets, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, cost relatively less than other cities. However, cost of recreation amenities including books, DVD, CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets are quite expensive here.
Generally, the customized cost of living index for Kuwait City is calculated based on individual basket groups and the chosen location. The cost of living in Kuwait has grown by 10 to 15 percent in last year.
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