😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,215 in Ad Dammam versus $661 in Khafji.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,866 in Ad Dammam versus $1,044 in Khafji.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,516 in Ad Dammam versus $1,426 in Khafji.
🌍Living in Ad Dammam is roughly 84% more expensive than in Khafji, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Ad Dammam12% lower, Khafji52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09SAR 30.39
$3.23SAR 12.12
150.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.39SAR 129
$34.81SAR 131
-1.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.57SAR 24.69
$5.20SAR 19.53
26.35%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.91SAR 7.17
$0.97SAR 3.65
96.91%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23SAR 8.37
$1.58SAR 5.93
41.14%
Cappuccino
$3.10SAR 11.65
$2.96SAR 11.12
4.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SAR 2.95
$0.77SAR 2.90
2.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20SAR 0.75
$0.19SAR 0.73
5.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.82SAR 6.84
$1.80SAR 6.75
1.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.33SAR 5.01
$1.33SAR 4.98
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92SAR 7.21
$1.89SAR 7.09
1.59%
Eggs
$2.13SAR 7.98
$2.20SAR 8.27
-3.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.39SAR 27.77
$7.28SAR 27.35
1.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.82SAR 29.36
$7.93SAR 29.79
-1.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.72SAR 47.79
$12.91SAR 48.47
-1.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.18SAR 8.17
$2.23SAR 8.37
-2.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63SAR 6.11
$1.63SAR 6.13
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59SAR 5.96
$1.63SAR 6.13
-2.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.62SAR 6.09
$1.61SAR 6.04
0.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.07SAR 4.02
$1.12SAR 4.22
-4.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20SAR 4.52
$1.15SAR 4.33
4.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.28SAR 4.80
$1.27SAR 4.78
0.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58SAR 2.18
$0.57SAR 2.14
1.75%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$4.09SAR 15.37
$4.05SAR 15.21
0.99%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45SAR 5.46
$1.50SAR 5.63
-3.33%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17SAR 8.14
$2.13SAR 8.00
1.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.80SAR 29.30
$7.78SAR 29.23
0.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97SAR 3.63
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.89SAR 135
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.60SAR 9.75
$2.72SAR 10.20
-4.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.60SAR 9.78
$2.62SAR 9.83
-0.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.41SAR 50.4
$13.25SAR 49.76
1.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64SAR 2.42
$0.61SAR 2.29
4.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.7KSAR 254.2K
$66.2KSAR 248.5K
2.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KSAR 79.9K
$21.5KSAR 80.8K
-1.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$128SAR 482
$131SAR 490
-1.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.46SAR 126
$32.66SAR 123
2.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.1SAR 233
$62.7SAR 236
-0.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$77.8SAR 292
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.85SAR 108
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.40SAR 50.3
$13.20SAR 49.58
1.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$417SAR 1,566
$135SAR 508
208.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,868SAR 29.5K
$3,942SAR 14.8K
99.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.40SAR 155
$42.63SAR 160
-2.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.15SAR 185
$49.91SAR 187
-1.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.8SAR 360
$98.1SAR 368
-2.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.5SAR 340
$91.2SAR 343
-0.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$567SAR 2,128
$678SAR 2,546
-16.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$369SAR 1,388
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,007SAR 3,781
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$663SAR 2,490
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,379SAR 5,179
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$595SAR 2,235
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ad Dammam
Khafji
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,532SAR 5,754
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.9
5.9
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ad Dammam: September 6, 2026
Last update for Khafji: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $567 in Ad Dammam and $678 in Khafji. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $34.00 in Ad Dammam vs $35.00 in Khafji for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $200 vs $201 per month, with Ad Dammam cheaper across the board.
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 Khafji: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ad Dammam or Khafji?
Khafji wins on cost – living expenses run 84% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Khafji the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ad Dammam and in Khafji?
You'd need roughly $1,823 in Ad Dammam and $992 in Khafji to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ad Dammam compared to Khafji?
Rent for a central apartment: $567 in Ad Dammam versus $678 in Khafji. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Ad Dammam or in Khafji?
Shoppers in Ad Dammam pay roughly 0% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Ad Dammam compared to Khafji?
All in, you'll spend $1,215 per month in Ad Dammam versus $661 in Khafji – a 84% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Ad Dammam or in Khafji?
At $661 in Khafji versus $1,215 in Ad Dammam, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Khafji but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Khafji the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ad Dammam or Khafji?
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 Khafji?
Safety-wise, Ad Dammam and Khafji 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 Khafji gentler on the wallet – expenses run 84% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.