Cost of Living in Ad Dammam - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Ad Dammam
Address: Ad Dammam, SA

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,210 monthly including rent, or $662 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,872 with rent, or $1,227 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,533 including rent, or $1,792 for daily expenses alone.

Ad Dammam sits about 10% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 16% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.31 SAR 27.42

$5.31 SAR 19.94

$13.28 SAR 49.83

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.6 SAR 201

$26.80 SAR 101

$61.7 SAR 231

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.98 SAR 29.94

$6.65 SAR 24.96

$9.32 SAR 34.96

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.83 SAR 6.86

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$3.91 SAR 14.67

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 SAR 6.82

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$3.89 SAR 14.59

Cappuccino

$3.70 SAR 13.89

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$6.79 SAR 25.48

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.92 SAR 3.43

$0.70 SAR 2.62

$1.38 SAR 5.19

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 SAR 1.30

$0.26 SAR 0.97

$0.77 SAR 2.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 SAR 6.43

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$1.91 SAR 7.16

White Bread (500g)

$1.45 SAR 5.43

$0.54 SAR 2.01

$1.89 SAR 7.10

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 SAR 7.85

$1.17 SAR 4.38

$2.70 SAR 10.13

Eggs

$2.24 SAR 8.42

$1.59 SAR 5.96

$3.18 SAR 11.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.06 SAR 22.73

$3.66 SAR 13.74

$11.77 SAR 44.17

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.15 SAR 26.85

$4.19 SAR 15.73

$11.80 SAR 44.28

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.62 SAR 36.12

$6.74 SAR 25.28

$12.70 SAR 47.65

Apples (1kg)

$2.11 SAR 7.93

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.62 SAR 9.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 SAR 5.62

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$2.11 SAR 7.93

Oranges (1kg)

$1.38 SAR 5.20

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.07 SAR 7.76

Tomato (1kg)

$1.66 SAR 6.24

$0.82 SAR 3.06

$2.43 SAR 9.11

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 SAR 4.80

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$1.64 SAR 6.14

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 SAR 4.99

$1.05 SAR 3.93

$2.08 SAR 7.82

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.12 SAR 7.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 SAR 2.07

$0.51 SAR 1.92

$0.77 SAR 2.90

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.19 SAR 15.73

$1.61 SAR 6.05

$12.88 SAR 48.36

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.60 SAR 6.01

$1.08 SAR 4.05

$2.15 SAR 8.05

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 SAR 7.44

$1.08 SAR 4.06

$2.43 SAR 9.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.92 SAR 29.73

$6.60 SAR 24.78

$9.25 SAR 34.72

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 SAR 3.36

$0.86 SAR 3.25

$2.59 SAR 9.70

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.16 SAR 151

$26.76 SAR 100

$56.2 SAR 211

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 SAR 12.35

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$5.27 SAR 19.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.65 SAR 9.96

$3.98 SAR 14.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.28 SAR 49.85

$7.97 SAR 29.90

$26.57 SAR 99.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 SAR 2.42

$0.60 SAR 2.26

$0.70 SAR 2.61

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.1K SAR 86.6K

$21.7K SAR 81.5K

$24.4K SAR 91.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.3K SAR 79.8K

$20.3K SAR 76.2K

$22.8K SAR 85.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$117 SAR 438

$75.3 SAR 283

$186 SAR 698

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$38.34 SAR 144

$18.48 SAR 69.4

$52.8 SAR 198

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.5 SAR 238

$53.7 SAR 201

$77.8 SAR 292

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.9 SAR 266

$32.35 SAR 121

$108 SAR 405

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$30.51 SAR 114

$13.07 SAR 49.07

$30.51 SAR 114

Cinema Ticket

$15.54 SAR 58.3

$13.51 SAR 50.7

$17.57 SAR 66.0

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$415 SAR 1,559

$184 SAR 689

$590 SAR 2,215

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,170 SAR 30.7K

$6,589 SAR 24.7K

$9,488 SAR 35.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.9 SAR 251

$15.74 SAR 59.1

$157 SAR 590

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.2 SAR 256

$40.68 SAR 153

$136 SAR 509

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.8 SAR 341

$52.8 SAR 198

$132 SAR 495

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.5 SAR 321

$74.4 SAR 279

$106 SAR 399

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$447 SAR 1,678

$268 SAR 1,007

$590 SAR 2,215

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$375 SAR 1,408

$237 SAR 891

$528 SAR 1,981

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$800 SAR 3,002

$628 SAR 2,356

$1,076 SAR 4,040

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$641 SAR 2,407

$538 SAR 2,019

$673 SAR 2,524

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,309 SAR 4,914

$734 SAR 2,757

$2,623 SAR 9,845

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$805 SAR 3,020

$646 SAR 2,425

$1,098 SAR 4,121

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,895 SAR 7,110

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.33

2.99

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $447 for a central one-bedroom, or $375 outside the center. At 24% of the average salary ($1,895), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,895, while typical expenses reach $1,210. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $184 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $54.0 for two – above the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $40.16 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Taxi is more expensive than 92% of cities in Asia

Gym membership is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Ad Dammam Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Ad Dammam - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia is generally approachable compared with many Western cities and some GCC hubs. You’ll find a mix of housing options – from compact apartments to larger compounds – often with predictable monthly costs. Daily life includes affordable street food, convenient grocery runs, and dining districts that cover both budget and mid-range tastes. Transport leans car-based or ride-hailing, with some neighborhoods offering walkable options near the corniche. Seasonal heat drives higher cooling use, so budgeting for utilities matters. For digital nomads, reliable Wi-Fi in coworking spaces or serviced apartments helps – steady leases reduce volatility. Tip: plan for seasonal costs and compare lease terms.

Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia living cost considerations shape housing choices, dining, and transport as you settle in. Housing search is straightforward through local agents and online listings, with options from compact coastal apartments to quiet inland compounds. Dining options cover affordable street food and mid-range venues, plus international spots. Transport is reliable via ride-hailing and taxis, and car ownership offers flexibility for weekend trips. Co-working spaces and quiet cafés near business districts support remote work, while errands are easily handled at supermarkets and local markets. Tip: map a short list of neighborhoods to visit and test them for a week before committing.

Quality of life here balances coastal access and a straightforward pace, letting you tailor routines to work and downtime. A budgeting framework that works is simple: lock in housing and utilities first, then allocate for food, transport, and occasional splurges. Neighborhood fit matters; seek places with easy access to the corniche, parks, shops, and nearby coworking hubs. Seasonality shapes your day-to-day – summer heat changes when you’re indoors, while cooler months invite outdoor strolls and evening markets. If you plan long stays, build in flexibility for lease terms and seasonal changes so your routine stays comfortable. Tip: reassess your budget quarterly and adjust for shifts in housing and dining choices.

A single person in Ad Dammam typically spends $1,210 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $662. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Ad Dammam come to around $1,210 including rent, or roughly $662 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,816 monthly in Ad Dammam means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Ad Dammam range from $375 to $447, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A regular gym membership in Ad Dammam costs around $70.9 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $184 per month on groceries in Ad Dammam. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.

Living on $1,000 in Ad Dammam means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,210. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Retirement in Ad Dammam is comfortable for most – total costs run about $1,210 monthly. Healthcare, daily amenities, and social infrastructure are all in place, and most retirees find it a practical, enjoyable place to settle.

Monthly expenses in Ad Dammam run around $1,210, so putting money aside takes more than $1,816 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Ad Dammam works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,210 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.