Cost of Living Comparison Between Abha and Jeddah Cost of Living Comparison Between Abha and Jeddah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,136 per month in Abha vs $1,202 in Jeddah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,893 per month in Abha vs $1,858 in Jeddah, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,650 per month in Abha vs $2,514 in Jeddah, rent included.

Abha is about 5% cheaper than Jeddah, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Abha and Jeddah are more affordable than the global median – Abha 15% lower, Jeddah 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.27 SAR 19.80
$6.54 SAR 24.53
-19.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.5 SAR 197
$40.72 SAR 153
29.03%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.55 SAR 28.35
$8.21 SAR 30.82
-8.04%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.74 SAR 6.53
$2.19 SAR 8.23
-20.55%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 SAR 5.35
$2.10 SAR 7.89
-31.90%
Cappuccino
$3.17 SAR 11.88
$3.58 SAR 13.44
-11.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 SAR 2.38
$0.70 SAR 2.64
-10.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 SAR 0.87
$0.25 SAR 0.94
-8.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 SAR 7.08
$1.74 SAR 6.51
8.62%
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 SAR 1.79
$0.96 SAR 3.58
-50.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.02 SAR 7.57
$2.30 SAR 8.61
-12.17%
Eggs
$2.99 SAR 11.24
$2.75 SAR 10.34
8.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.80 SAR 21.77
$7.41 SAR 27.82
-21.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.91 SAR 33.43
$7.64 SAR 28.69
16.62%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.68 SAR 62.6
$12.34 SAR 46.33
35.17%
Apples (1kg)
$1.82 SAR 6.83
$2.16 SAR 8.12
-15.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.67 SAR 6.26
$1.57 SAR 5.90
6.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.47 SAR 5.50
$1.55 SAR 5.82
-5.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.68 SAR 6.30
$1.54 SAR 5.78
9.09%
Potato (1kg)
$1.43 SAR 5.36
$1.32 SAR 4.94
8.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 SAR 4.72
$1.21 SAR 4.54
4.13%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 SAR 3.43
$1.05 SAR 3.96
-13.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 SAR 2.23
$0.60 SAR 2.23
-1.67%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.31 SAR 16.17
$4.08 SAR 15.31
5.64%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 SAR 5.72
$1.95 SAR 7.33
-22.05%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48 SAR 5.57
$2.48 SAR 9.32
-40.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.42 SAR 35.37
$6.76 SAR 25.36
39.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.82 SAR 3.06
$1.36 SAR 5.12
-39.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.87 SAR 150
$39.64 SAR 149
0.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.63 SAR 9.86
$3.23 SAR 12.13
-18.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.63 SAR 9.87
$1.88 SAR 7.06
39.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.17 SAR 49.42
$15.36 SAR 57.7
-14.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 SAR 2.28
$0.63 SAR 2.37
-3.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K SAR 90.9K
$26.9K SAR 101.0K
-10.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K SAR 83.3K
$21.4K SAR 80.4K
3.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.1 SAR 304
$105 SAR 393
-22.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.40 SAR 140
$32.31 SAR 121
15.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.7 SAR 209
$70.1 SAR 263
-20.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$122 SAR 460
$90.9 SAR 341
34.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.36 SAR 103
$45.17 SAR 170
-39.43%
Cinema Ticket
$18.08 SAR 67.9
$13.12 SAR 49.25
37.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$235 SAR 882
$400 SAR 1,500
-41.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,411 SAR 20.3K
$6,414 SAR 24.1K
-15.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.52 SAR 141
$64.6 SAR 242
-41.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.6 SAR 250
$58.1 SAR 218
14.69%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$181 SAR 679
$92.5 SAR 347
95.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.2 SAR 327
$84.4 SAR 317
3.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$358 SAR 1,345
$501 SAR 1,881
-28.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$264 SAR 991
$390 SAR 1,464
-32.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$577 SAR 2,167
$899 SAR 3,374
-35.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$640 SAR 2,402
$618 SAR 2,321
3.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,072 SAR 4,025
$1,625 SAR 6,100
-34.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$609 SAR 2,285
$1,014 SAR 3,805
-39.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abha
Jeddah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,221 SAR 8,334
$1,657 SAR 6,218
34.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.67
4.5
26.00%

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

Last update for Abha: May 30, 2026

Last update for Jeddah: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $358 in Abha versus $501 in Jeddah. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 34% higher in Abha, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $53.0 in Abha versus $41.00 in Jeddah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $207 vs $196 – making Jeddah the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abha vs Jeddah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Abha or Jeddah?
Jeddah costs about 6% more than Abha, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Abha vs Jeddah?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,704 per month in Abha and $1,803 in Jeddah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Abha or Jeddah?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abha, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Abha or Jeddah?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Jeddah – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
How do dining costs compare in Abha vs Jeddah?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $53.0 in Abha and $41.00 in Jeddah. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Abha or Jeddah?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Abha, where all-in costs run around $1,136, than in Jeddah at $1,202. In Abha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jeddah it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Abha – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Abha compared to Jeddah?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Abha or Jeddah?
If budget matters most, go with Abha. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jeddah makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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