Last update: Oct 2026 Saudi Arabia 903.3K

Cost of Living in Ad Dammam

Name: Ad Dammam
Address: Ad Dammam, SA

For one person, living costs in Ad Dammam are estimated at $1,198 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $23 a day.

Compare Destinations Jump to prices

Ad Dammam

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ad Dammam

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ad Dammam actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,198 monthly including rent, or $699 excluding housing.

$1,198 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,835 with rent, or $1,182 without housing.

$1,835 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,471 including rent, or $1,664 for daily expenses alone.

$2,471 /mo

Ad Dammam sits about 12% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are slightly above average (13%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.24 SAR 27.17

$4.02 SAR 15.08

$10.99 SAR 41.23

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.15 SAR 132

$21.63 SAR 81.2

$54.1 SAR 203

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.63 SAR 24.89

$5.58 SAR 20.92

$9.30 SAR 34.88

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.82 SAR 6.84

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$3.91 SAR 14.68

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 SAR 8.70

$1.77 SAR 6.66

$4.09 SAR 15.36

Cappuccino

$3.06 SAR 11.48

$1.33 SAR 5.01

$4.81 SAR 18.03

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

$0.70 SAR 2.64

$0.64 SAR 2.39

$0.88 SAR 3.32

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.19 SAR 0.72

$0.14 SAR 0.52

$0.29 SAR 1.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.82 SAR 6.82

$1.64 SAR 6.17

$2.19 SAR 8.21

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 SAR 5.00

$1.08 SAR 4.05

$1.63 SAR 6.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.93 SAR 7.26

$1.08 SAR 4.05

$2.33 SAR 8.75

Eggs

$2.16 SAR 8.12

$1.61 SAR 6.04

$2.66 SAR 9.97

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.52 SAR 28.21

$4.83 SAR 18.12

$13.41 SAR 50.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.07 SAR 30.28

$3.27 SAR 12.29

$12.30 SAR 46.15

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.76 SAR 47.89

$10.63 SAR 39.91

$13.65 SAR 51.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.20 SAR 8.27

$0.52 SAR 1.96

$2.62 SAR 9.82

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 SAR 6.23

$1.05 SAR 3.95

$2.12 SAR 7.94

Oranges (1kg)

$1.65 SAR 6.18

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.16 SAR 8.12

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 SAR 6.01

$0.53 SAR 2.00

$2.15 SAR 8.05

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$0.52 SAR 1.96

$1.58 SAR 5.93

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 SAR 4.48

$0.54 SAR 2.01

$1.62 SAR 6.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.28 SAR 4.80

$0.79 SAR 2.98

$1.59 SAR 5.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 SAR 2.14

$0.50 SAR 1.89

$0.76 SAR 2.86

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.07 SAR 15.26

$1.57 SAR 5.88

$12.53 SAR 47.01

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.50 SAR 5.61

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$1.78 SAR 6.68

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 SAR 8.12

$1.59 SAR 5.96

$2.38 SAR 8.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.54 SAR 28.30

$6.73 SAR 25.27

$7.54 SAR 28.30

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 SAR 3.44

$0.90 SAR 3.37

$0.98 SAR 3.66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.31 SAR 132

$31.38 SAR 118

$54.9 SAR 206

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.59 SAR 9.73

$1.56 SAR 5.85

$3.89 SAR 14.60

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.63 SAR 9.86

$1.31 SAR 4.93

$2.63 SAR 9.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.24 SAR 49.69

$7.95 SAR 29.83

$13.24 SAR 49.69

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.24

$0.56 SAR 2.09

$0.60 SAR 2.24

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

$65.8K SAR 247.1K

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

$21.0K SAR 78.8K

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

$130 SAR 486

$106 SAR 399

$187 SAR 703

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

$33.20 SAR 125

$18.85 SAR 70.7

$40.40 SAR 152

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.2 SAR 233

$52.4 SAR 196

$71.0 SAR 266

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 SAR 289

$53.5 SAR 201

$107 SAR 402

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.97 SAR 105

$13.16 SAR 49.39

$27.97 SAR 105

Cinema Ticket

$13.47 SAR 50.5

$13.19 SAR 49.51

$16.16 SAR 60.6

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

$414 SAR 1,555

$276 SAR 1,036

$573 SAR 2,149

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,796 SAR 29.3K

$6,278 SAR 23.6K

$18.3K SAR 68.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.50 SAR 156

$22.24 SAR 83.5

$52.3 SAR 196

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.82 SAR 183

$13.13 SAR 49.26

$58.4 SAR 219

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.6 SAR 355

$62.7 SAR 235

$131 SAR 491

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.4 SAR 343

$75.1 SAR 282

$107 SAR 403

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$580 SAR 2,176

$428 SAR 1,607

$696 SAR 2,611

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$370 SAR 1,388

$265 SAR 996

$464 SAR 1,743

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,002 SAR 3,761

$808 SAR 3,031

$1,176 SAR 4,414

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$677 SAR 2,539

$669 SAR 2,510

$678 SAR 2,544

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,405 SAR 5,271

$747 SAR 2,802

$2,667 SAR 10.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$604 SAR 2,268

$486 SAR 1,824

$675 SAR 2,534

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,487 SAR 5,582

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.9

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

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Ad Dammam $1,198

Accommodation & Living

$370 30.9%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$225 18.8%

Groceries & Markets

$202 16.9%

Clothing & Footwear

$124 10.4%

Eating Out

$118 9.9%

Sport & Entertainment

$104 8.7%

Getting Around

$55 4.6%

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $580 for a central one-bedroom, or $370 outside the center. At 39% of the average salary ($1,487), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,487, while typical expenses reach $1,198. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,798.

Expect to spend about $202 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $35.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $35.31 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $33.00.

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

Good to know

🕒 Local time

06:44 6:44 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

903,312

💱 Currency

Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س

📈 Exchange rate

1 SAR = 0.266 USD

1 SAR = 0.237 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

Lowest

Highest

From you

Ad Dammam

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 $1,198 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $699. 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 $1,198 including rent, or roughly $699 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,798 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 $370 to $580, 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 $77.1 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $202 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 $1,198. 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 $1,198 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 $1,198, so putting money aside takes more than $1,798 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 $1,198 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.