Cost of Living in Al Khobar - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,332 monthly including rent, or $867 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,100 with rent, or $1,525 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,868 including rent, or $2,182 for daily expenses alone.

Al Khobar sits about 1% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 32% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.82 SAR 25.60

$4.09 SAR 15.37

$13.63 SAR 51.2

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.0 SAR 203

$101 SAR 381

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.19 SAR 30.77

$7.37 SAR 27.69

$8.19 SAR 30.77

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.98 SAR 7.44

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$5.94 SAR 22.32

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.70 SAR 10.13

$1.90 SAR 7.12

$4.06 SAR 15.24

Cappuccino

$4.26 SAR 16.01

$2.11 SAR 7.91

$5.93 SAR 22.28

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

$0.96 SAR 3.61

$0.74 SAR 2.76

$1.30 SAR 4.90

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 SAR 1.83

$0.26 SAR 0.99

$1.30 SAR 4.87

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 SAR 6.34

$1.44 SAR 5.42

$2.09 SAR 7.85

White Bread (500g)

$1.40 SAR 5.24

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$2.73 SAR 10.25

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.32 SAR 8.72

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$3.16 SAR 11.87

Eggs

$2.88 SAR 10.81

$1.62 SAR 6.07

$4.85 SAR 18.20

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.94 SAR 26.05

$4.65 SAR 17.48

$13.69 SAR 51.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.12 SAR 34.26

$4.24 SAR 15.93

$11.94 SAR 44.85

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.61 SAR 47.34

$8.87 SAR 33.31

$16.10 SAR 60.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.54 SAR 9.53

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$4.11 SAR 15.44

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 SAR 6.45

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$3.42 SAR 12.82

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 SAR 8.00

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$3.93 SAR 14.74

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 SAR 5.88

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$2.88 SAR 10.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.41 SAR 5.31

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$2.59 SAR 9.73

Onion (1kg)

$1.72 SAR 6.47

$1.08 SAR 4.07

$2.97 SAR 11.15

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.70 SAR 6.38

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$2.61 SAR 9.81

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.60 SAR 2.24

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$0.78 SAR 2.94

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.70 SAR 10.14

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$4.05 SAR 15.20

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 SAR 5.48

$0.77 SAR 2.89

$2.70 SAR 10.12

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 SAR 7.04

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$3.91 SAR 14.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.51 SAR 24.45

$5.21 SAR 19.57

$7.29 SAR 27.38

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 SAR 3.44

$0.52 SAR 1.96

$1.31 SAR 4.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.1 SAR 226

$15.84 SAR 59.5

$79.2 SAR 297

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.26 SAR 8.48

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$5.47 SAR 20.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$4.05 SAR 15.21

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.60 SAR 24.78

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.65 SAR 2.43

$0.61 SAR 2.27

$0.65 SAR 2.43

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

$21.4K SAR 80.3K

$20.0K SAR 75.2K

$40.1K SAR 150.5K

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

$22.7K SAR 85.4K

$21.1K SAR 79.2K

$26.4K SAR 99.1K

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

$124 SAR 466

$80.1 SAR 301

$134 SAR 502

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

$34.51 SAR 130

$26.54 SAR 99.7

$42.46 SAR 159

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$80.7 SAR 303

$58.0 SAR 218

$106 SAR 400

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$109 SAR 410

$40.57 SAR 152

$237 SAR 889

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.80 SAR 138

$26.76 SAR 100

$40.15 SAR 151

Cinema Ticket

$17.36 SAR 65.2

$13.35 SAR 50.1

$21.37 SAR 80.3

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

$306 SAR 1,147

$239 SAR 898

$531 SAR 1,996

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,541 SAR 28.3K

$4,746 SAR 17.8K

$14.5K SAR 54.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.4 SAR 238

$53.2 SAR 200

$79.8 SAR 300

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$69.8 SAR 262

$39.89 SAR 150

$106 SAR 399

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 SAR 376

$67.7 SAR 254

$122 SAR 457

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.4 SAR 302

$54.0 SAR 203

$162 SAR 609

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$433 SAR 1,628

$266 SAR 998

$931 SAR 3,495

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$401 SAR 1,505

$267 SAR 1,003

$748 SAR 2,809

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,059 SAR 3,978

$679 SAR 2,550

$1,630 SAR 6,120

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$813 SAR 3,054

$542 SAR 2,036

$1,355 SAR 5,090

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,442 SAR 9,170

$1,145 SAR 4,301

$4,031 SAR 15.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,423 SAR 5,344

$471 SAR 1,771

$2,095 SAR 7,869

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,856 SAR 6,971

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.84

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

Last update: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $433 for a central one-bedroom, or $401 outside the center. At 23% of the average salary ($1,856), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,856, while typical expenses reach $1,332. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,999.

Expect to spend about $217 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 $60.1 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 99% of cities in Asia

Internet 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 $1,332 including rent, or roughly $867 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,332 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 $1,856 take-home, most residents in Al Khobar can cover the $1,332 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,999 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 $401. Overall, the market runs from $401 to $433 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A regular gym membership in Al Khobar costs around $109 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 $1,332. 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 $1,332 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 $1,332, so putting money aside takes more than $1,999 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.