😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,237 in Ad Dammam versus $1,050 in Jubail.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,905 in Ad Dammam versus $1,650 in Jubail.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,574 in Ad Dammam versus $2,251 in Jubail.
😐Living in Ad Dammam is roughly 18% more expensive than Jubail, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Ad Dammam8% lower, Jubail22% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.31SAR 27.41
$6.48SAR 24.31
12.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9SAR 202
$40.19SAR 151
34.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.13SAR 30.50
$9.29SAR 34.84
-12.49%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.86SAR 6.97
$1.82SAR 6.83
2.20%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84SAR 6.91
$2.85SAR 10.70
-35.44%
Cappuccino
$3.67SAR 13.78
$3.39SAR 12.71
8.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84SAR 3.15
$0.83SAR 3.10
1.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37SAR 1.39
$0.26SAR 0.97
42.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72SAR 6.45
$1.77SAR 6.65
-2.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.47SAR 5.50
$0.98SAR 3.68
50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.11SAR 7.91
$1.63SAR 6.11
29.45%
Eggs
$2.29SAR 8.58
$2.52SAR 9.44
-9.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.28SAR 23.54
$8.20SAR 30.76
-23.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.43SAR 27.85
$6.89SAR 25.85
7.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.11SAR 37.91
$11.19SAR 41.96
-9.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.21SAR 8.27
$2.32SAR 8.72
-4.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.48SAR 5.57
$1.71SAR 6.40
-13.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.45SAR 5.43
$1.58SAR 5.91
-8.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.67SAR 6.25
$1.43SAR 5.37
16.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SAR 4.82
$1.12SAR 4.20
14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.33SAR 4.98
$1.30SAR 4.86
2.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30SAR 4.88
$1.38SAR 5.17
-5.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59SAR 2.22
$0.64SAR 2.39
-7.81%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$4.24SAR 15.88
$2.91SAR 10.92
45.70%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57SAR 5.87
$1.98SAR 7.42
-20.71%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02SAR 7.56
$2.44SAR 9.14
-17.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.04SAR 30.17
$7.02SAR 26.33
14.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89SAR 3.33
$0.97SAR 3.63
-8.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.57SAR 148
$25.13SAR 94.2
57.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.31SAR 12.42
$4.08SAR 15.32
-18.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.73SAR 10.22
$1.85SAR 6.94
47.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.14SAR 49.27
$17.01SAR 63.8
-22.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64SAR 2.40
$0.63SAR 2.37
1.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7KSAR 85.3K
$20.2KSAR 75.9K
12.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9KSAR 78.2K
$24.2KSAR 90.8K
-13.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117SAR 438
$98.8SAR 371
18.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.51SAR 144
$31.97SAR 120
20.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.3SAR 237
$65.1SAR 244
-2.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$69.6SAR 261
$88.0SAR 330
-20.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.63SAR 115
$35.90SAR 135
-14.68%
Cinema Ticket
$15.02SAR 56.3
$13.89SAR 52.1
8.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425SAR 1,592
$202SAR 759
109.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,339SAR 31.3K
$8,378SAR 31.4K
-0.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.0SAR 251
$38.63SAR 145
73.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.0SAR 248
$62.2SAR 233
6.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.6SAR 347
$83.4SAR 313
11.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.2SAR 327
$79.4SAR 298
9.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445SAR 1,670
$403SAR 1,513
10.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$377SAR 1,414
$277SAR 1,039
36.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$799SAR 2,997
$655SAR 2,456
22.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$640SAR 2,398
$505SAR 1,892
26.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$894SAR 3,352
$2,522SAR 9,458
-64.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$778SAR 2,917
$1,316SAR 4,934
-40.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ad Dammam
Jubail
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,974SAR 7,403
$1,602SAR 6,008
23.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.33
5.33
-18.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ad Dammam: April 27, 2026
Last update for Jubail: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $445 in Ad Dammam and $403 in Jubail. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ad Dammam pays 23% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Ad Dammam vs $40.00 in Jubail. Groceries flip the comparison at $189 vs $191, with Ad Dammam cheaper for home cooking.
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
Ad Dammam vs Jubail: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ad Dammam or Jubail?
Jubail wins on cost – living expenses run 18% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Jubail the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ad Dammam or Jubail?
Ad Dammam pays 23% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ad Dammam vs Jubail?
Rent for a central apartment: $445 in Ad Dammam versus $403 in Jubail. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Ad Dammam compared to Jubail?
All in, you'll spend $1,237 per month in Ad Dammam versus $1,050 in Jubail – a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Ad Dammam vs Jubail?
A monthly transit pass in Jubail runs roughly 57% less than in Ad Dammam. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ad Dammam or Jubail?
At $1,050 in Jubail versus $1,237 in Ad Dammam, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jubail but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Jubail the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ad Dammam or Jubail?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Ad Dammam compared to Jubail?
Safety-wise, Ad Dammam and Jubail are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Jubail gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.