Cost of Living Comparison Between AL Kharj and Riyadh Cost of Living Comparison Between AL Kharj and Riyadh

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $943 per month in AL Kharj vs $1,758 in Riyadh, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,496 per month in AL Kharj vs $2,475 in Riyadh, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,050 per month in AL Kharj vs $3,192 in Riyadh, rent included.

AL Kharj is about 46% cheaper than Riyadh, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

AL Kharj sits 29% below the global median, while Riyadh is 32% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.47 SAR 24.31

$8.19 SAR 30.76

-21.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.66 SAR 100

$53.9 SAR 202

-50.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.02 SAR 30.13

$7.97 SAR 29.91

0.63%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.70 SAR 6.39

$1.69 SAR 6.33

0.59%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.29 SAR 4.86

$2.31 SAR 8.68

-44.16%

Cappuccino

$2.45 SAR 9.21

$3.98 SAR 14.94

-38.44%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$0.77 SAR 2.88

1.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.13 SAR 0.47

$0.31 SAR 1.17

-58.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 SAR 6.19

$1.69 SAR 6.34

-2.37%

White Bread (500g)

$0.26 SAR 0.97

$1.33 SAR 4.98

-80.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.40 SAR 9.00

$2.36 SAR 8.85

1.69%

Eggs

$1.95 SAR 7.31

$2.69 SAR 10.10

-27.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.50 SAR 31.91

$8.48 SAR 31.84

0.24%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.12 SAR 19.24

$9.90 SAR 37.17

-48.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.52 SAR 50.8

$14.50 SAR 54.5

-6.76%

Apples (1kg)

$2.01 SAR 7.55

$2.32 SAR 8.73

-13.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.23 SAR 4.61

$1.74 SAR 6.52

-29.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.95 SAR 3.57

$1.88 SAR 7.06

-49.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$1.59 SAR 5.96

-17.61%

Potato (1kg)

$0.90 SAR 3.40

$1.25 SAR 4.68

-28.00%

Onion (1kg)

$0.97 SAR 3.63

$1.46 SAR 5.49

-33.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$1.43 SAR 5.38

-45.45%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 SAR 1.93

$0.52 SAR 1.94

-1.92%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.12 SAR 7.96

$7.87 SAR 29.54

-73.06%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$1.79 SAR 6.70

-24.02%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 SAR 9.12

$2.41 SAR 9.07

0.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.58 SAR 24.72

$7.41 SAR 27.83

-11.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.95

$1.08 SAR 4.07

-2.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.90 SAR 150

$36.88 SAR 138

8.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.73 SAR 10.25

$3.22 SAR 12.09

-15.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.55 SAR 2.07

$1.84 SAR 6.93

-70.11%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.58 SAR 51.0

$13.19 SAR 49.54

2.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 SAR 2.40

$0.64 SAR 2.39

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.6K SAR 129.8K

$35.1K SAR 131.8K

-1.46%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.9K SAR 86.0K

$23.4K SAR 88.0K

-2.30%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$105 SAR 393

$106 SAR 398

-1.08%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.04 SAR 102

$35.14 SAR 132

-23.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$49.84 SAR 187

$76.9 SAR 289

-35.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.5 SAR 253

$106 SAR 399

-36.56%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.77 SAR 153

$59.9 SAR 225

-31.95%

Cinema Ticket

$16.29 SAR 61.2

$16.22 SAR 60.9

0.43%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$179 SAR 671

$465 SAR 1,747

-61.60%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,754 SAR 14.1K

$9,542 SAR 35.8K

-60.66%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.6 SAR 224

$58.3 SAR 219

2.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.2 SAR 204

$65.1 SAR 244

-16.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$53.6 SAR 201

$110 SAR 413

-51.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.1 SAR 305

$101 SAR 378

-19.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$653 SAR 2,454

$1,110 SAR 4,167

-41.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$233 SAR 875

$843 SAR 3,164

-72.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 SAR 1,819

$2,026 SAR 7,608

-76.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$492 SAR 1,847

$1,127 SAR 4,233

-56.36%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,911 SAR 10.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,938 SAR 7,280

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,831 SAR 10.6K

$2,020 SAR 7,588

40.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update for AL Kharj: July 14, 2026

Last update for Riyadh: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $653 in AL Kharj versus $1,110 in Riyadh. 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 40% 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 $27.00 in AL Kharj versus $54.0 in Riyadh. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $170 vs $225 – making AL Kharj the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Riyadh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $943 in AL Kharj, $1,758 in Riyadh – roughly 86% apart. Riyadh costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,414 per month in AL Kharj and $2,637 in Riyadh. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in AL Kharj, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $179 per month in AL Kharj and $465 in Riyadh. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 32% more in Riyadh, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in AL Kharj, where all-in costs run around $943, than in Riyadh at $1,758. In AL Kharj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Riyadh it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Riyadh has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $943 in AL Kharj to $1,758 in Riyadh. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with AL Kharj. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Riyadh makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.