Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ad Dammam and Umluj

For one person, living is cheaper in Ad Dammam: $1,188 a month against $1,230 in Umluj, rent and utilities included – about $500 less a year. The total is higher in Umluj despite lower rent and utilities.

Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Umluj, Saudi Arabia
Ad Dammam
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,188
/mo nomad
Umluj
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,230
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ad Dammam and in Umluj

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ad Dammam and in Umluj actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,188 in Ad Dammam versus $1,230 in Umluj.

  • Ad Dammam $1,188
  • Umluj $1,230

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,803 in Ad Dammam versus $1,824 in Umluj.

  • Ad Dammam $1,803
  • Umluj $1,824

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,418 in Ad Dammam versus $2,418 in Umluj.

  • Ad Dammam $2,418
  • Umluj $2,418

Living in Ad Dammam costs roughly 3% less than in Umluj, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both cities sit below the global median: Ad Dammam 12% lower, Umluj 9% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.74 SAR 25.28
$6.59 SAR 24.75
2.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.35 SAR 129
$39.59 SAR 149
-13.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.62 SAR 24.84
$8.45 SAR 31.71
-21.66%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.84 SAR 6.89
$1.68 SAR 6.30
9.52%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 SAR 8.32
$2.54 SAR 9.55
-12.60%
Cappuccino
$3.02 SAR 11.33
$3.45 SAR 12.96
-12.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 SAR 2.88
$0.83 SAR 3.12
-7.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16 SAR 0.59
$0.27 SAR 1.03
-40.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 SAR 6.47
$1.92 SAR 7.21
-10.42%
White Bread (500g)
$1.29 SAR 4.84
$1.12 SAR 4.21
15.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 SAR 7.07
$2.03 SAR 7.60
-7.39%
Eggs
$2.12 SAR 7.96
$2.48 SAR 9.30
-14.52%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.47 SAR 28.04
$6.36 SAR 23.88
17.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.70 SAR 28.91
$8.73 SAR 32.76
-11.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.77 SAR 47.94
$14.21 SAR 53.3
-10.13%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 SAR 8.59
$2.30 SAR 8.62
-0.43%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 SAR 6.13
$1.96 SAR 7.35
-16.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.64 SAR 6.16
$1.37 SAR 5.16
19.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.55 SAR 5.83
$1.40 SAR 5.26
10.71%
Potato (1kg)
$1.08 SAR 4.04
$1.08 SAR 4.04
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 SAR 4.37
$1.27 SAR 4.78
-7.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.25 SAR 4.71
$1.41 SAR 5.28
-11.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 SAR 2.12
$0.48 SAR 1.82
16.67%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.21 SAR 15.81
$2.56 SAR 9.61
64.45%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 SAR 5.49
$1.55 SAR 5.83
-5.81%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 SAR 7.92
$1.97 SAR 7.40
7.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.80 SAR 29.29
$5.89 SAR 22.10
32.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 SAR 3.30
$1.19 SAR 4.48
-26.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$38.25 SAR 144
$39.20 SAR 147
-2.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.28 SAR 8.57
$2.96 SAR 11.11
-22.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 SAR 5.08
$1.57 SAR 5.90
-14.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.89 SAR 52.1
$15.82 SAR 59.4
-12.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 SAR 2.28
$0.53 SAR 1.99
15.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K SAR 109.2K
$33.3K SAR 125.1K
-12.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K SAR 79.7K
$21.3K SAR 79.8K
-0.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 SAR 489
$95.4 SAR 358
36.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.31 SAR 121
$35.71 SAR 134
-9.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.2 SAR 241
$69.3 SAR 260
-7.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.4 SAR 264
$80.5 SAR 302
-12.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.59 SAR 107
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.39 SAR 50.3
$13.83 SAR 51.9
-3.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$414 SAR 1,554
$378 SAR 1,420
9.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.5K SAR 39.4K
$11.6K SAR 43.4K
-9.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.50 SAR 160
$43.21 SAR 162
-1.64%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.93 SAR 184
$62.5 SAR 234
-21.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.0 SAR 360
$92.6 SAR 348
3.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.0 SAR 345
$87.8 SAR 330
4.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$531 SAR 1,993
$558 SAR 2,093
-4.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$376 SAR 1,410
$407 SAR 1,528
-7.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$947 SAR 3,553
$875 SAR 3,286
8.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 SAR 2,495
$611 SAR 2,292
8.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,479 SAR 5,553
$2,201 SAR 8,261
-32.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$779 SAR 2,925
$1,179 SAR 4,427
-33.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ad Dammam
Umluj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,508 SAR 5,659
$4,181 SAR 15.7K
-63.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.9
5.54
6.50%

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

Last update for Ad Dammam: November 3, 2026

Last update for Umluj: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ad Dammam
$376
Umluj
$407 8.4% $31
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ad Dammam
$227
Umluj
$200 11.7% $27
Groceries & Markets
Ad Dammam
$198
Umluj
$207 4.3% $8.4
Clothing & Footwear
Ad Dammam
$126
Umluj
$129 2.4% $3
Eating Out
Ad Dammam
$114
Umluj
$124 9% $10
Sport & Entertainment
Ad Dammam
$97
Umluj
$108 11.4% $11
Getting Around
Ad Dammam
$51
Umluj
$55 7.8% $4

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $531 in Ad Dammam and $558 in Umluj. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Umluj pays about 2.8 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $34 in Ad Dammam vs $40 in Umluj for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $198 vs $207 per month, with Ad Dammam cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Ad Dammam
🇸🇦 Umluj
🕒 Local time
06:58 6:58 AM
06:58 6:58 AM
Same time as Ad Dammam
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
903,312
37,757
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.23 SAR (1 SAR = 0.237 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ad Dammam Umluj 1,300 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ad Dammam
  • Umluj

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Umluj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ad Dammam or Umluj?
Ad Dammam wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Umluj. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Ad Dammam the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ad Dammam or in Umluj?
On paper, salaries run 64% lower in Ad Dammam. 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 Umluj?
Rent for a central apartment: $531 in Ad Dammam versus $558 in Umluj. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Ad Dammam or in Umluj?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% higher in Umluj. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Ad Dammam compared to Umluj?
All in, you’ll spend $1,188 per month in Ad Dammam versus $1,230 in Umluj – Ad Dammam is about 3% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ad Dammam or in Umluj?
Both cities are expensive relative to $1,000. Ad Dammam is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ad Dammam or Umluj?
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 Umluj?
Safety-wise, Ad Dammam and Umluj are both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.
Should I move to Ad Dammam or to Umluj?
It comes down to priorities – Ad Dammam wins on affordability, Umluj on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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