Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Khobar and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Al Khobar: $1,435 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $15,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Al Khobar
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,435
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,704
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Al Khobar and in Austin, TX

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,435 in Al Khobar versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

  • Al Khobar $1,435
  • Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,239 in Al Khobar versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Al Khobar $2,239
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,043 in Al Khobar versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

  • Al Khobar $3,043
  • Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Al Khobar costs roughly 47% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Al Khobar 7% above, Austin, TX 102% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.78 SAR 25.46
$20.22 $20.22
-66.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.9 SAR 221
$85.0 $85.0
-30.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.08 SAR 30.34
$12.35 $12.35
-34.57%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 SAR 10.14
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 SAR 10.19
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.51 SAR 16.92
$5.47 $5.47
-17.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 SAR 3.45
$3.82 $3.82
-75.92%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 SAR 1.52
$2.50 $2.50
-84.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$8.06 $8.06
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$8.99 $8.99
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 SAR 6.38
$1.13 $1.13
50.44%
White Bread (500g)
$1.26 SAR 4.72
$3.78 $3.78
-66.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.55 SAR 9.59
$3.25 $3.25
-21.54%
Eggs
$2.40 SAR 9.01
$4.14 $4.14
-42.03%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.11 SAR 26.69
$13.08 $13.08
-45.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.30 SAR 38.68
$14.31 $14.31
-28.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.59 SAR 43.52
$15.96 $15.96
-27.38%
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 SAR 10.40
$4.38 $4.38
-36.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.78 SAR 6.68
$1.45 $1.45
22.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.98 SAR 7.42
$4.54 $4.54
-56.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.83 SAR 6.86
$4.19 $4.19
-56.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.36 SAR 5.10
$2.63 $2.63
-48.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 SAR 6.26
$2.36 $2.36
-29.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.69 SAR 6.34
$1.76 $1.76
-3.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 SAR 2.05
$2.16 $2.16
-74.54%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.68 SAR 10.07
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.65 SAR 6.21
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 SAR 7.08
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61 SAR 24.84
$9.81 $9.81
-32.62%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$14.72 $14.72
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 $2.78
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.48 $3.48
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 SAR 2.77
$1.49 $1.49
-50.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$67.0 SAR 252
$40.51 $40.51
65.42%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.38 SAR 12.68
$2.67 $2.67
26.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.72 SAR 10.20
$1.58 $1.58
72.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.84 SAR 25.67
$35.29 $35.29
-80.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.64 SAR 2.41
$0.99 $0.99
-35.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$66.1K SAR 248.1K
$35.8K $35.8K
84.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6K SAR 84.8K
$27.2K $27.2K
-16.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$99.2 SAR 372
$219 $219
-54.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.92 SAR 124
$58.0 $58.0
-43.23%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.7 SAR 262
$68.4 $68.4
1.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$80.9 SAR 304
$57.9 $57.9
39.79%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.24 SAR 136
$14.82 $14.82
144.53%
Cinema Ticket
$15.22 SAR 57.1
$14.13 $14.13
7.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$602 SAR 2,262
$1,509 $1,509
-60.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,315 SAR 31.2K
$21.5K $21.5K
-61.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.8 SAR 236
$51.7 $51.7
21.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$83.7 SAR 314
$44.05 $44.05
89.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.3 SAR 362
$85.1 $85.1
13.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.4 SAR 347
$105 $105
-12.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$631 SAR 2,370
$1,932 $1,932
-67.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$514 SAR 1,929
$1,272 $1,272
-59.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,174 SAR 4,410
$3,670 $3,670
-68.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$855 SAR 3,209
$2,525 $2,525
-66.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,388 SAR 8,966
$7,617 $7,617
-68.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,463 SAR 5,495
$3,199 $3,199
-54.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,872 SAR 7,028
$5,105 $5,105
-63.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.88
6.79
-13.40%

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

Last update for Al Khobar: October 5, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
$514
Austin, TX
$1.3K 148% $759
Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
$219
Austin, TX
$403 83.8% $184
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
$202
Austin, TX
$346 71.3% $144
Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
$151
Austin, TX
$129 14.7% $22
Eating Out
Al Khobar
$138
Austin, TX
$348 153% $210
Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
$111
Austin, TX
$86 22.6% $25
Getting Around
Al Khobar
$87
Austin, TX
$57 34.4% $30

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $631 in Al Khobar and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 173% 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: $59.0 in Al Khobar vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $219 vs $403 per month, with Al Khobar cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Al Khobar
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
11:32 11:32 AM
03:32 3:32 AM
8 h behind Al Khobar
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
219,679
974,447
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.21 SAR (1 SAR = 0.237 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Al Khobar Austin, TX 12,860 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Al Khobar
  • Austin, TX

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 Khobar vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Khobar or Austin, TX?
Al Khobar wins on cost – living expenses run 88% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Khobar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Al Khobar or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 173% lower in Austin, TX. 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 Khobar compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $631 in Al Khobar versus $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Al Khobar runs roughly 65% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Al Khobar and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $602 in Al Khobar versus $1,509 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Al Khobar or in Austin, TX?
At $1,435 in Al Khobar versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Al Khobar but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Al Khobar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Al Khobar or Austin, TX?
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 Khobar compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Al Khobar and Austin, TX 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 Khobar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 88% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Al Khobar vs other spots: cost of living compared

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