Cost of Living in Al Khobar - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,344 monthly including rent, or $719 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,120 with rent, or $1,452 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,897 including rent, or $2,186 for daily expenses alone.

Al Khobar sits 0–3% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 29% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.75 SAR 25.34

$4.06 SAR 15.22

$13.50 SAR 50.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.6 SAR 197

$98.7 SAR 370

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.05 SAR 30.20

$7.24 SAR 27.18

$8.05 SAR 30.20

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.02 SAR 7.59

$1.34 SAR 5.05

$6.07 SAR 22.76

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 SAR 10.22

$1.91 SAR 7.18

$4.09 SAR 15.36

Cappuccino

$4.32 SAR 16.23

$2.14 SAR 8.02

$6.02 SAR 22.59

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

$1.00 SAR 3.75

$0.77 SAR 2.87

$1.36 SAR 5.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 SAR 1.93

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$1.37 SAR 5.14

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 SAR 6.34

$1.44 SAR 5.42

$2.09 SAR 7.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.38 SAR 5.17

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.69 SAR 10.10

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.33 SAR 8.75

$1.59 SAR 5.96

$3.18 SAR 11.92

Eggs

$2.91 SAR 10.91

$1.63 SAR 6.12

$4.89 SAR 18.37

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.59 SAR 24.72

$4.42 SAR 16.59

$13.00 SAR 48.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.17 SAR 34.43

$4.27 SAR 16.01

$12.01 SAR 45.07

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.70 SAR 47.65

$8.93 SAR 33.53

$16.22 SAR 60.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.50 SAR 9.38

$1.35 SAR 5.05

$4.05 SAR 15.19

Banana (1kg)

$1.74 SAR 6.54

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$3.46 SAR 13.00

Oranges (1kg)

$2.11 SAR 7.90

$0.78 SAR 2.91

$3.88 SAR 14.57

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.17

$0.82 SAR 3.09

$3.02 SAR 11.34

Potato (1kg)

$1.43 SAR 5.38

$0.52 SAR 1.97

$2.63 SAR 9.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.67 SAR 6.26

$1.05 SAR 3.94

$2.87 SAR 10.79

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 SAR 6.59

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.70 SAR 10.14

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 SAR 2.33

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$0.82 SAR 3.06

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.68 SAR 10.05

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$4.03 SAR 15.12

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 SAR 5.34

$0.75 SAR 2.82

$2.63 SAR 9.86

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 SAR 7.39

$1.36 SAR 5.12

$4.10 SAR 15.39

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.75 SAR 25.35

$5.41 SAR 20.29

$7.57 SAR 28.39

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 SAR 3.45

$0.52 SAR 1.97

$1.31 SAR 4.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$61.6 SAR 231

$16.25 SAR 61.0

$81.2 SAR 305

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.25 SAR 8.44

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$5.45 SAR 20.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$3.91 SAR 14.66

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.59 SAR 24.74

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.25

$0.56 SAR 2.10

$0.60 SAR 2.25

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

$21.2K SAR 79.4K

$19.8K SAR 74.4K

$39.7K SAR 148.9K

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

$22.7K SAR 85.1K

$21.0K SAR 78.9K

$26.3K SAR 98.7K

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

$123 SAR 461

$79.3 SAR 298

$132 SAR 496

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

$34.93 SAR 131

$26.86 SAR 101

$42.99 SAR 161

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$80.1 SAR 301

$57.5 SAR 216

$106 SAR 396

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$107 SAR 400

$39.53 SAR 148

$231 SAR 865

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.08 SAR 135

$26.23 SAR 98.5

$39.36 SAR 148

Cinema Ticket

$17.66 SAR 66.3

$13.58 SAR 51.0

$21.73 SAR 81.6

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

$307 SAR 1,151

$240 SAR 900

$533 SAR 2,001

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,553 SAR 28.3K

$4,754 SAR 17.8K

$14.5K SAR 54.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.8 SAR 239

$53.5 SAR 201

$80.2 SAR 301

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.0 SAR 263

$40.02 SAR 150

$107 SAR 400

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.7 SAR 370

$66.7 SAR 250

$120 SAR 451

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.8 SAR 303

$54.3 SAR 204

$163 SAR 612

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$433 SAR 1,624

$265 SAR 996

$929 SAR 3,487

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$397 SAR 1,489

$264 SAR 992

$740 SAR 2,779

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,031 SAR 3,869

$661 SAR 2,480

$1,586 SAR 5,952

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$790 SAR 2,965

$527 SAR 1,977

$1,317 SAR 4,942

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,419 SAR 9,077

$1,134 SAR 4,257

$3,992 SAR 15.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,457 SAR 5,468

$483 SAR 1,812

$2,145 SAR 8,051

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,866 SAR 7,005

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.84

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $433 for a central one-bedroom, or $397 outside the center. At 23% of the average salary ($1,866), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,866, while typical expenses reach $1,344. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,016.

Expect to spend about $217 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $53.0 for two – above the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $61.6 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Gym membership is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Family monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

Al Khobar 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 Al Khobar - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Al Khobar often feels moderate, especially if you anchor a longer stay in residential compounds or serviced apartments. Housing is the biggest swing, with options that streamline monthly budgeting when utilities are bundled. Food and everyday goods are affordable if you shop local and cook at home, while dining out offers a wide range from casual to upscale venues. Transport is practical, with car use and ride-hailing common and walkable neighborhoods near the Corniche. Digital nomads who plan around longer stays tend to secure better value than constant short bookings. Tip: Start by choosing a neighborhood that suits your pace and workspace.

In Al Khobar you’ll find a mix of high-rise towers, gated compounds, and serviced apartments. Begin with neighborhoods near the Corniche for walkable access, or inland for calmer streets and lower rents. When searching, compare months-long leases and check whether utilities are included. Food options range from local markets to international dining; cooking at home saves money and offers reliability with dietary preferences. Transport is car-centric, with ride-hailing widely available and some bus routes; coworking spaces cluster in business districts. For errands, malls, supermarkets, and pharmacies anchor major hubs. Al Khobar living cost considerations help you plan upfront. Tip: Tap into online communities to scout deals and timing.

Quality of life in Al Khobar hinges on neighborhood fit, climate-aware routines, and practical budgeting. Use a simple, flexible framework: separate essential housing costs from discretionary spending, track utilities, groceries, and transport month to month, and adjust as seasons shift. Summer heat makes cooling a bigger share of energy use; winter evenings are more comfortable for outdoor activities. Look for neighborhoods with easy access to groceries, parks, and coworking options to minimize transit. Consider longer leases in stable compounds to reduce price volatility and build community. Tip: Prioritize safe, walkable areas with good amenities.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Al Khobar come to around $1,344 including rent, or roughly $719 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,344 monthly all-in, Al Khobar offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

At $1,866 take-home, most residents in Al Khobar can cover the $1,344 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,016 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Where you live in Al Khobar makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $433; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $397. Overall, the market runs from $397 to $433 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A regular gym membership in Al Khobar costs around $107 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $217 per month on groceries in Al Khobar. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.

Living on $1,000 in Al Khobar means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,344. 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 Al Khobar is comfortable for most – total costs run about $1,344 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 Al Khobar run around $1,344, so putting money aside takes more than $2,016 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.