😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,196 in Ad Dammam versus $1,068 in Najran.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,860 in Ad Dammam versus $1,650 in Najran.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,524 in Ad Dammam versus $2,231 in Najran.
🌍Living in Ad Dammam is roughly 12% more expensive than in Najran, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Ad Dammam10% lower, Najran20% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.29SAR 27.37
$8.13SAR 30.52
-10.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.7SAR 202
$22.98SAR 86.3
133.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.03SAR 30.16
$8.84SAR 33.19
-9.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.82SAR 6.83
$1.63SAR 6.14
11.66%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90SAR 7.14
$1.30SAR 4.90
46.15%
Cappuccino
$3.73SAR 14.00
$4.46SAR 16.74
-16.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92SAR 3.44
$0.80SAR 3.01
15.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35SAR 1.30
$0.26SAR 0.97
34.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63SAR 6.13
$2.19SAR 8.23
-25.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.46SAR 5.49
$1.00SAR 3.74
46.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.09SAR 7.86
$2.31SAR 8.67
-9.52%
Eggs
$2.27SAR 8.53
$2.19SAR 8.23
3.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.12SAR 22.97
$6.68SAR 25.10
-8.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.25SAR 27.23
$6.03SAR 22.63
20.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.70SAR 36.42
$14.40SAR 54.1
-32.64%
Apples(1kg)
$2.12SAR 7.95
$1.78SAR 6.68
19.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49SAR 5.61
$2.03SAR 7.62
-26.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40SAR 5.24
$1.72SAR 6.46
-18.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59SAR 5.98
$1.61SAR 6.03
-1.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SAR 4.82
$1.27SAR 4.77
0.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32SAR 4.97
$1.29SAR 4.83
2.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36SAR 5.12
$1.36SAR 5.10
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59SAR 2.21
$0.70SAR 2.62
-15.71%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$4.13SAR 15.50
$2.76SAR 10.35
49.64%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56SAR 5.85
$1.63SAR 6.12
-4.29%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92SAR 7.22
$2.01SAR 7.56
-4.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.76SAR 29.13
$7.94SAR 29.82
-2.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.95SAR 3.57
$1.08SAR 4.07
-12.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.54SAR 148
$39.78SAR 149
-0.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.38SAR 12.70
$2.72SAR 10.20
24.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.62SAR 9.86
$1.81SAR 6.82
44.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.54SAR 50.8
$13.12SAR 49.25
3.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.25
$0.57SAR 2.15
5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0KSAR 86.3K
$26.2KSAR 98.4K
-12.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KSAR 79.1K
$22.3KSAR 83.8K
-5.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$115SAR 432
$105SAR 394
9.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.60SAR 145
$33.80SAR 127
14.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.5SAR 239
$72.5SAR 272
-12.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$70.5SAR 265
$86.6SAR 325
-18.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.26SAR 117
$35.99SAR 135
-13.14%
Cinema Ticket
$15.06SAR 56.6
$15.42SAR 57.9
-2.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$415SAR 1,558
$356SAR 1,339
16.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,157SAR 30.6K
$7,072SAR 26.6K
15.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.6SAR 258
$60.0SAR 225
14.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.7SAR 250
$60.1SAR 226
11.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.6SAR 348
$80.1SAR 301
15.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.7SAR 322
$82.7SAR 311
3.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$447SAR 1,677
$334SAR 1,255
33.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$378SAR 1,421
$196SAR 738
92.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$805SAR 3,021
$608SAR 2,283
32.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$626SAR 2,350
$425SAR 1,594
47.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,353SAR 5,082
$2,057SAR 7,723
-34.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$816SAR 3,063
$1,378SAR 5,174
-40.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ad Dammam
Najran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,510SAR 5,669
$1,745SAR 6,554
-13.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.33
4.42
-2.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ad Dammam: July 26, 2026
Last update for Najran: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $447 in Ad Dammam and $334 in Najran. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Najran pays 16% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Ad Dammam vs $23.00 in Najran. Groceries flip the comparison at $184 vs $199, 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 Najran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ad Dammam or Najran?
Najran wins on cost – living expenses run 12% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Najran the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ad Dammam or in Najran?
On paper, salaries run 16% lower in Najran. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ad Dammam compared to Najran?
Rent for a central apartment: $447 in Ad Dammam versus $334 in Najran. 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 Najran?
All in, you'll spend $1,196 per month in Ad Dammam versus $1,068 in Najran – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Ad Dammam compared to Najran?
A monthly transit pass in Najran runs roughly 1% 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 in Najran?
At $1,068 in Najran versus $1,196 in Ad Dammam, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Najran but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Najran the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ad Dammam or Najran?
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 Najran?
Safety-wise, Ad Dammam and Najran 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 Najran gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.