Cost of Living in Al Khobar - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,402 monthly including rent, or $788 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,205 with rent, or $1,395 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,008 including rent, or $2,002 for daily expenses alone.

Al Khobar sits about 3% above the global median. Within Asia, costs are 28% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.53 SAR 24.53

$3.92 SAR 14.71

$13.06 SAR 49.05

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.0 SAR 225

$53.3 SAR 200

$107 SAR 401

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.77 SAR 29.18

$7.00 SAR 26.28

$9.07 SAR 34.07

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.66 SAR 10.00

$1.60 SAR 6.00

$7.98 SAR 29.97

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.70 SAR 10.15

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$4.05 SAR 15.21

Cappuccino

$4.49 SAR 16.88

$2.18 SAR 8.19

$6.17 SAR 23.17

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

$0.91 SAR 3.41

$0.64 SAR 2.40

$1.28 SAR 4.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 SAR 1.53

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$1.38 SAR 5.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 SAR 6.15

$1.44 SAR 5.41

$1.83 SAR 6.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 SAR 4.73

$0.78 SAR 2.92

$1.72 SAR 6.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.46 SAR 9.24

$1.58 SAR 5.92

$3.15 SAR 11.84

Eggs

$2.39 SAR 8.97

$1.60 SAR 6.02

$3.20 SAR 12.03

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.18 SAR 26.95

$5.24 SAR 19.68

$13.09 SAR 49.16

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.91 SAR 37.21

$4.19 SAR 15.73

$11.78 SAR 44.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.61 SAR 43.59

$6.65 SAR 24.98

$19.96 SAR 75.0

Apples (1kg)

$2.67 SAR 10.01

$1.58 SAR 5.92

$3.94 SAR 14.78

Banana (1kg)

$1.74 SAR 6.54

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$3.54 SAR 13.30

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 SAR 7.70

$1.07 SAR 4.02

$4.05 SAR 15.20

Tomato (1kg)

$1.83 SAR 6.86

$0.53 SAR 1.99

$2.98 SAR 11.19

Potato (1kg)

$1.39 SAR 5.23

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.16 SAR 8.09

Onion (1kg)

$1.65 SAR 6.18

$1.04 SAR 3.90

$2.85 SAR 10.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$0.39 SAR 1.46

$2.57 SAR 9.67

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 SAR 2.15

$0.42 SAR 1.57

$0.82 SAR 3.09

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.63 SAR 9.86

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.63 SAR 9.86

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 SAR 6.17

$0.78 SAR 2.91

$2.71 SAR 10.16

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 SAR 7.10

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$4.06 SAR 15.24

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.59 SAR 24.74

$5.27 SAR 19.80

$7.38 SAR 27.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.78 SAR 2.95

$0.55 SAR 2.05

$1.02 SAR 3.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.3 SAR 253

$15.83 SAR 59.4

$79.2 SAR 297

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.25 SAR 12.21

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$5.21 SAR 19.55

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.71 SAR 10.18

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$4.06 SAR 15.24

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.81 SAR 25.57

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 SAR 2.38

$0.60 SAR 2.26

$0.64 SAR 2.42

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

$65.6K SAR 246.2K

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

$21.9K SAR 82.2K

$20.8K SAR 78.3K

$23.6K SAR 88.8K

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

$98.6 SAR 370

$61.0 SAR 229

$133 SAR 501

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

$32.61 SAR 122

$26.54 SAR 99.7

$42.47 SAR 159

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.2 SAR 264

$58.5 SAR 220

$107 SAR 403

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 SAR 300

$32.52 SAR 122

$130 SAR 489

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.21 SAR 136

$26.34 SAR 98.9

$52.7 SAR 198

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 SAR 56.9

$13.17 SAR 49.44

$21.07 SAR 79.1

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

$600 SAR 2,253

$399 SAR 1,498

$897 SAR 3,369

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,271 SAR 31.1K

$7,836 SAR 29.4K

$9,142 SAR 34.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 SAR 238

$53.5 SAR 201

$80.2 SAR 301

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$81.4 SAR 306

$39.07 SAR 147

$104 SAR 391

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.5 SAR 366

$67.2 SAR 252

$121 SAR 454

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$92.5 SAR 347

$52.9 SAR 199

$159 SAR 596

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$620 SAR 2,328

$365 SAR 1,370

$912 SAR 3,424

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$499 SAR 1,872

$317 SAR 1,189

$739 SAR 2,773

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,184 SAR 4,445

$668 SAR 2,506

$1,736 SAR 6,517

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$847 SAR 3,180

$650 SAR 2,442

$1,301 SAR 4,884

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,411 SAR 9,054

$1,131 SAR 4,246

$3,980 SAR 14.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,423 SAR 5,342

$471 SAR 1,770

$2,095 SAR 7,866

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,843 SAR 6,920

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.88

3.5

6.5

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

Last update: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $620 for a central one-bedroom, or $499 outside the center. At 34% of the average salary ($1,843), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,843, while typical expenses reach $1,402. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,103.

Expect to spend about $216 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $60.0 for two – above the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $67.3 per month – above the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia

Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia

Taxi 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 $1,402 including rent, or roughly $788 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

At around $1,402 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 $1,843 take-home, most residents in Al Khobar can cover the $1,402 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,103 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 $620; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $499. Overall, the market runs from $499 to $620 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A regular gym membership in Al Khobar costs around $79.9 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.

Expect to spend around $216 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 $1,402. 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 $1,402 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 $1,402, so putting money aside takes more than $2,103 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.