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 $1,198 monthly including rent, or $689 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,825 with rent, or $1,176 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,452 including rent, or $1,662 for daily expenses alone.

Ad Dammam sits 13–16% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are slightly above average (10%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.09 SAR 30.38

$4.05 SAR 15.19

$13.49 SAR 50.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$37.23 SAR 140

$21.28 SAR 79.9

$53.2 SAR 200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.79 SAR 25.50

$5.70 SAR 21.41

$8.69 SAR 32.62

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.80 SAR 6.76

$1.29 SAR 4.83

$2.58 SAR 9.69

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 SAR 7.73

$1.67 SAR 6.27

$3.86 SAR 14.48

Cappuccino

$3.04 SAR 11.42

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$4.85 SAR 18.21

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

$0.77 SAR 2.88

$0.68 SAR 2.54

$0.95 SAR 3.57

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.17 SAR 0.62

$0.12 SAR 0.45

$0.24 SAR 0.90

Milk (1 liter)

$1.77 SAR 6.66

$1.63 SAR 6.12

$1.90 SAR 7.12

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 SAR 5.00

$1.08 SAR 4.04

$1.63 SAR 6.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.93 SAR 7.25

$1.08 SAR 4.07

$2.33 SAR 8.75

Eggs

$2.10 SAR 7.89

$1.56 SAR 5.86

$2.57 SAR 9.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.34 SAR 27.57

$4.72 SAR 17.72

$13.10 SAR 49.19

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.76 SAR 29.13

$3.15 SAR 11.84

$11.83 SAR 44.40

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.48 SAR 46.85

$10.39 SAR 39.01

$13.34 SAR 50.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.18 SAR 8.20

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$2.60 SAR 9.75

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 SAR 6.44

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$2.18 SAR 8.17

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.15

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.16 SAR 8.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.63 SAR 6.13

$0.54 SAR 2.04

$2.18 SAR 8.17

Potato (1kg)

$1.08 SAR 4.04

$0.52 SAR 1.97

$1.57 SAR 5.90

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 SAR 4.46

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$1.61 SAR 6.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.32 SAR 4.96

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$1.63 SAR 6.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 SAR 2.12

$0.51 SAR 1.91

$0.76 SAR 2.84

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.20 SAR 15.78

$1.62 SAR 6.08

$12.94 SAR 48.56

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.49 SAR 5.59

$0.80 SAR 3.01

$1.77 SAR 6.66

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 SAR 8.39

$1.64 SAR 6.14

$2.45 SAR 9.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.51 SAR 28.19

$6.71 SAR 25.19

$7.51 SAR 28.19

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 SAR 3.37

$0.88 SAR 3.30

$0.96 SAR 3.59

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.24 SAR 132

$31.33 SAR 118

$54.8 SAR 206

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 SAR 10.03

$1.60 SAR 6.02

$4.00 SAR 15.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.62 SAR 9.82

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$2.62 SAR 9.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.43 SAR 50.4

$8.06 SAR 30.24

$13.43 SAR 50.4

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)

$66.9K SAR 251.2K

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

$20.9K SAR 78.4K

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

$126 SAR 472

$103 SAR 387

$182 SAR 682

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

$33.14 SAR 124

$18.82 SAR 70.7

$40.31 SAR 151

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.7 SAR 235

$52.8 SAR 198

$71.5 SAR 269

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 SAR 286

$52.8 SAR 198

$106 SAR 396

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.76 SAR 104

$13.06 SAR 49.04

$27.76 SAR 104

Cinema Ticket

$13.49 SAR 50.7

$13.23 SAR 49.66

$16.19 SAR 60.8

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

$414 SAR 1,554

$276 SAR 1,036

$572 SAR 2,148

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,996 SAR 30.0K

$6,440 SAR 24.2K

$18.8K SAR 70.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.25 SAR 155

$22.10 SAR 83.0

$52.0 SAR 195

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.67 SAR 183

$13.09 SAR 49.13

$58.2 SAR 219

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 SAR 365

$64.6 SAR 242

$134 SAR 505

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.8 SAR 345

$75.4 SAR 283

$108 SAR 405

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$566 SAR 2,126

$418 SAR 1,570

$680 SAR 2,551

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$376 SAR 1,410

$269 SAR 1,012

$471 SAR 1,770

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$988 SAR 3,708

$796 SAR 2,988

$1,159 SAR 4,353

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$672 SAR 2,523

$664 SAR 2,494

$673 SAR 2,528

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,376 SAR 5,166

$732 SAR 2,747

$2,613 SAR 9,809

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$597 SAR 2,240

$480 SAR 1,802

$666 SAR 2,502

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,528 SAR 5,736

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.9

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

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $566 for a central one-bedroom, or $376 outside the center. At 37% of the average salary ($1,528), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,528, while typical expenses reach $1,198. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,796.

Expect to spend about $199 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $37.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $35.24 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Taxi is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

Gym membership is more expensive than 92% 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 $1,198 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $689. 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 $689 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,796 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 $376 to $566, 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 $76.1 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $199 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 $1,796 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.