Skyline of Riffa
Cost of Living: 85 150,000

Riffa, Bahrain

Riffa is a major city in Bahrain with a population of 150,000.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs Bahrain Avg (100)

Housing Index 92

Affordable

Median Income BD 13,200

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Riffa vs Bahrain Average

Cost of Living
Riffa: 85
Bahrain Avg: 100
Housing Index
Riffa: 92
Bahrain Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: BD 13,200
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 150,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 300/year
  • Summer High: 100°F
  • Winter Low: 58°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: BD120,000
  • 1BR Rent: BD350/mo

Cost of Living

Riffa's cost of living index is 85 (Bahrain average = 100).

CategoryRiffaNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing92100-8.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceBD120,000
Median Rent (1BR)BD350/mo
Median Rent (2BR)BD438/mo
Price per Sq FtBD80

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

BD
%
$90,000 down
%
%
BD

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Riffa:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityBD15
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)BD74Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterBD10Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)BD25Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesBD124Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Riffa scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
BD350
Sunny Days
300
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
100°F / 58°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
150,000
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Riffa has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January78°F58°F2.5"
April85°F73°F2.8"
July100°F75°F1.5"
October80°F76°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Riffa faces the following natural hazards:

Drought Extreme Risk

Arid country with extreme drought conditions.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat with temperatures frequently exceeding 45°C.

Sandstorm High Risk

Frequent sandstorms.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Low Risk

Coastal flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Dec), Spring (Jan-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (13 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Ramadan and Eid break (2-3 weeks)

Sunday to Thursday school week.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Riffa, Bahrain?

The cost of living index in Riffa is 85, which is Lower the Bahrain national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Riffa?

The median home price in Riffa is BD120,000. The housing index is 92.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Riffa is approximately BD350/mo.

Does Riffa, Southern have income tax?

Riffa is in Southern, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Riffa?

Riffa enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 100°F, while winter lows can drop to around 58°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.