🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,033 in Al Hufuf versus $1,237 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,611 in Al Hufuf versus $1,905 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,189 in Al Hufuf versus $2,574 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Living in Al Hufuf costs roughly 16% less than in Ad Dammam, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Al Hufuf23% lower, Ad Dammam8% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.51SAR 24.41
$7.31SAR 27.41
-10.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.91SAR 183
$53.9SAR 202
-9.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.57SAR 28.39
$8.13SAR 30.50
-6.89%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.78SAR 6.68
$1.86SAR 6.97
-4.30%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62SAR 6.07
$1.84SAR 6.91
-11.96%
Cappuccino
$3.93SAR 14.75
$3.67SAR 13.78
7.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65SAR 2.43
$0.84SAR 3.15
-22.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20SAR 0.75
$0.37SAR 1.39
-45.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64SAR 6.17
$1.72SAR 6.45
-4.65%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94SAR 3.53
$1.47SAR 5.50
-36.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.36SAR 8.85
$2.11SAR 7.91
11.85%
Eggs
$2.01SAR 7.54
$2.29SAR 8.58
-12.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.56SAR 20.87
$6.28SAR 23.54
-11.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.51SAR 24.42
$7.43SAR 27.85
-12.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.07SAR 52.8
$10.11SAR 37.91
39.17%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64SAR 6.15
$2.21SAR 8.27
-25.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56SAR 5.87
$1.48SAR 5.57
5.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.30SAR 4.87
$1.45SAR 5.43
-10.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.14SAR 4.26
$1.67SAR 6.25
-31.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02SAR 3.83
$1.28SAR 4.82
-20.31%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97SAR 3.63
$1.33SAR 4.98
-27.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36SAR 5.11
$1.30SAR 4.88
4.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56SAR 2.11
$0.59SAR 2.22
-5.08%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.86SAR 10.73
$4.24SAR 15.88
-32.55%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80SAR 6.74
$1.57SAR 5.87
14.65%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14SAR 4.28
$2.02SAR 7.56
-43.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.26SAR 23.46
$8.04SAR 30.17
-22.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SAR 4.08
$0.89SAR 3.33
22.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.75SAR 149
$39.57SAR 148
0.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.70SAR 10.13
$3.31SAR 12.42
-18.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.89SAR 7.10
$2.73SAR 10.22
-30.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.12SAR 49.18
$13.14SAR 49.27
-0.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.59SAR 2.20
$0.64SAR 2.40
-7.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9KSAR 130.8K
$22.7KSAR 85.3K
53.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0KSAR 86.4K
$20.9KSAR 78.2K
10.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8SAR 303
$117SAR 438
-30.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.44SAR 118
$38.51SAR 144
-18.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.9SAR 281
$63.3SAR 237
18.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$145SAR 542
$69.6SAR 261
107.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$33.07SAR 124
$30.63SAR 115
7.97%
Cinema Ticket
$13.16SAR 49.34
$15.02SAR 56.3
-12.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299SAR 1,122
$425SAR 1,592
-29.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,212SAR 15.8K
$8,339SAR 31.3K
-49.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.55SAR 47.08
$67.0SAR 251
-81.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.21SAR 60.8
$66.0SAR 248
-75.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$41.53SAR 156
$92.6SAR 347
-55.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.77SAR 127
$87.2SAR 327
-61.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$362SAR 1,357
$445SAR 1,670
-18.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$268SAR 1,004
$377SAR 1,414
-29.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$728SAR 2,731
$799SAR 2,997
-8.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393SAR 1,474
$640SAR 2,398
-38.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,392SAR 8,972
$894SAR 3,352
167.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,348SAR 5,054
$778SAR 2,917
73.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Hufuf
Ad Dammam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,951SAR 7,315
$1,974SAR 7,403
-1.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
4.33
-42.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Hufuf: April 25, 2026
Last update for Ad Dammam: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $362 in Al Hufuf and $445 in Ad Dammam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ad Dammam pays 1% 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: $49.00 in Al Hufuf vs $54.0 in Ad Dammam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $180 vs $189 per month, with Al Hufuf 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
Al Hufuf vs Ad Dammam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Hufuf or Ad Dammam?
Al Hufuf wins on cost – living expenses run 20% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Hufuf the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Al Hufuf or Ad Dammam?
On paper, Ad Dammam earns 1% less. 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 Al Hufuf vs Ad Dammam?
Rent for a central apartment: $362 in Al Hufuf versus $445 in Ad Dammam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Al Hufuf compared to Ad Dammam?
All in, you'll spend $1,033 per month in Al Hufuf versus $1,237 in Ad Dammam – a 20% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Al Hufuf vs Ad Dammam?
A monthly transit pass in Al Hufuf runs roughly 0% 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 $1,500/month in Al Hufuf or Ad Dammam?
At $1,033 in Al Hufuf versus $1,237 in Ad Dammam, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al Hufuf but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Al Hufuf the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Al Hufuf or Ad Dammam?
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 Al Hufuf compared to Ad Dammam?
Safety-wise, Al Hufuf and Ad Dammam 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 Al Hufuf gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.