Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between AL Kharj and Al Khobar

For one person, living is cheaper in AL Kharj: $961 a month against $1,487 in Al Khobar, rent and utilities included – about $6,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

AL Kharj, Saudi Arabia
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
AL Kharj
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$961
/mo nomad
Al Khobar
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,487
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in AL Kharj and in Al Khobar

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

A single person spends $961 per month in AL Kharj vs $1,487 in Al Khobar, rent included.

  • AL Kharj $961
  • Al Khobar $1,487

A couple spends around $1,464 per month in AL Kharj vs $2,252 in Al Khobar, rent included.

  • AL Kharj $1,464
  • Al Khobar $2,252

A family of three spends $1,966 per month in AL Kharj vs $3,016 in Al Khobar, rent included.

  • AL Kharj $1,966
  • Al Khobar $3,016

AL Kharj is about 35% cheaper than Al Khobar, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

AL Kharj sits 29% below the global median, while Al Khobar is 9% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.79 SAR 17.99
$6.81 SAR 25.57
-29.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.43 SAR 99.2
$59.9 SAR 225
-55.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.14 SAR 30.56
$8.00 SAR 30.01
1.75%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.16 SAR 8.11
$2.61 SAR 9.80
-17.24%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 SAR 4.94
$2.64 SAR 9.92
-50.00%
Cappuccino
$3.06 SAR 11.49
$4.43 SAR 16.64
-30.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 SAR 3.21
$0.87 SAR 3.26
-2.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12 SAR 0.44
$0.40 SAR 1.52
-70.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.49 SAR 5.58
$1.69 SAR 6.36
-11.83%
White Bread (500g)
$0.28 SAR 1.06
$1.27 SAR 4.76
-77.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.44 SAR 9.17
$2.54 SAR 9.53
-3.94%
Eggs
$2.12 SAR 7.95
$2.45 SAR 9.21
-13.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.38 SAR 38.95
$7.28 SAR 27.33
42.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.95 SAR 18.59
$10.16 SAR 38.14
-51.28%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.09 SAR 49.13
$11.86 SAR 44.50
10.37%
Apples (1kg)
$1.71 SAR 6.43
$2.66 SAR 9.97
-35.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 SAR 5.15
$1.69 SAR 6.36
-18.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.23 SAR 4.60
$2.04 SAR 7.66
-39.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.38 SAR 5.18
$1.75 SAR 6.56
-21.14%
Potato (1kg)
$1.06 SAR 3.97
$1.40 SAR 5.27
-24.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.05 SAR 3.94
$1.65 SAR 6.20
-36.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.55 SAR 2.05
$1.75 SAR 6.55
-68.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 SAR 2.02
$0.58 SAR 2.18
-6.90%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.20 SAR 8.26
$2.73 SAR 10.26
-19.41%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04 SAR 3.91
$1.65 SAR 6.18
-36.97%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 SAR 9.28
$1.90 SAR 7.13
30.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.45 SAR 24.21
$6.75 SAR 25.31
-4.44%
🚌 Getting Around
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.95 SAR 3.55
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.07 SAR 86.6
$61.9 SAR 232
-62.73%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.66 SAR 9.97
$2.90 SAR 10.88
-8.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.51 SAR 1.90
$2.64 SAR 9.89
-80.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.22 SAR 49.59
$6.58 SAR 24.68
100.91%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 SAR 2.27
$0.64 SAR 2.39
-4.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K SAR 100.0K
$67.8K SAR 254.5K
-60.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K SAR 84.3K
$21.6K SAR 81.0K
4.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$107 SAR 400
$99.4 SAR 373
7.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.42 SAR 99.2
$33.37 SAR 125
-20.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.6 SAR 190
$68.9 SAR 259
-26.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.4 SAR 272
$81.3 SAR 305
-11.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.69 SAR 153
$36.86 SAR 138
10.39%
Cinema Ticket
$13.41 SAR 50.3
$15.26 SAR 57.3
-12.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$289 SAR 1,084
$607 SAR 2,279
-52.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,810 SAR 14.3K
$8,542 SAR 32.1K
-55.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5 SAR 216
$63.4 SAR 238
-9.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 SAR 197
$82.3 SAR 309
-36.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.60 SAR 175
$97.8 SAR 367
-52.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 SAR 296
$94.4 SAR 354
-16.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$692 SAR 2,597
$766 SAR 2,876
-9.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$267 SAR 1,002
$583 SAR 2,189
-54.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$590 SAR 2,214
$1,247 SAR 4,678
-52.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$461 SAR 1,729
$906 SAR 3,401
-49.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,456 SAR 5,464
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,072 SAR 4,025
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
AL Kharj
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,793 SAR 10.5K
$1,877 SAR 7,045
48.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.54
5.88
-5.78%

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

Last update for AL Kharj: October 26, 2026

Last update for Al Khobar: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
AL Kharj
$267
Al Khobar
$583 119% $316
Monthly Utilities & Internet
AL Kharj
$184
Al Khobar
$202 9.8% $18
Groceries & Markets
AL Kharj
$174
Al Khobar
$220 26.5% $46
Clothing & Footwear
AL Kharj
$106
Al Khobar
$152 43.5% $46
Eating Out
AL Kharj
$103
Al Khobar
$137 32.3% $33
Sport & Entertainment
AL Kharj
$99
Al Khobar
$112 12.8% $13
Getting Around
AL Kharj
$28 *
Al Khobar
$82 190% $54

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $692 in AL Kharj versus $766 in Al Khobar. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 49% higher in AL Kharj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26 in AL Kharj versus $60 in Al Khobar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $174 vs $220 – making AL Kharj the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇸🇦 AL Kharj
🇸🇦 Al Khobar
🕒 Local time
01:51 1:51 AM
01:51 1:51 AM
Same time as AL Kharj
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
425,300
219,679
💱 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 1, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.19 SAR (1 SAR = 0.239 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • AL Kharj Al Khobar 380 km
From you
  • AL Kharj
  • Al Khobar

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
AL Kharj vs Al Khobar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in AL Kharj and in Al Khobar compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $961 in AL Kharj, $1,487 in Al Khobar – AL Kharj comes out roughly 35% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in AL Kharj compared to Al Khobar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,442 per month in AL Kharj and $2,231 in Al Khobar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between AL Kharj and Al Khobar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in AL Kharj, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $692 there versus $766 in Al Khobar.
What is the difference in childcare costs between AL Kharj and Al Khobar?
Kindergarten costs $289 per month in AL Kharj and $607 in Al Khobar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 27% more in Al Khobar, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in AL Kharj, where all-in costs run around $961, than in Al Khobar at $1,487. In AL Kharj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Al Khobar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: AL Kharj or Al Khobar?
Families tend to lean toward AL Kharj – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is AL Kharj or Al Khobar safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Where should expats move: AL Kharj or Al Khobar?
For expats, AL Kharj is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 35% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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