🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,332 in Al Khobar versus $2,240 in Cascais.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,100 in Al Khobar versus $3,477 in Cascais.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,868 in Al Khobar versus $4,714 in Cascais.
🌍Living in Al Khobar costs roughly 41% less than in Cascais, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Al Khobar0% above, Cascais68% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.82SAR 25.59
$13.84€12.12
-50.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.0SAR 203
$46.27€40.52
16.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.19SAR 30.77
$9.13€8.00
-10.30%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.98SAR 7.44
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70SAR 10.13
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.26SAR 16.00
$2.91€2.55
46.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96SAR 3.61
$2.16€1.89
-55.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49SAR 1.83
$1.57€1.38
-68.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.25€1.97
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.46€3.03
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69SAR 6.34
$1.05€0.92
60.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.40SAR 5.24
$1.82€1.59
-23.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.32SAR 8.72
$1.85€1.62
25.41%
Eggs
$2.88SAR 10.81
$3.15€2.76
-8.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.94SAR 26.04
$11.22€9.83
-38.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.12SAR 34.26
$7.78€6.82
17.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.61SAR 47.33
$14.49€12.69
-12.97%
Apples(1kg)
$2.54SAR 9.53
$2.49€2.18
2.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72SAR 6.45
$1.64€1.44
4.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13SAR 8.00
$2.03€1.78
4.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57SAR 5.88
$2.87€2.51
-45.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41SAR 5.30
$1.52€1.33
-7.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.72SAR 6.47
$1.98€1.74
-13.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.70SAR 6.38
$1.65€1.45
3.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60SAR 2.24
$0.94€0.82
-36.17%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.70SAR 10.13
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46SAR 5.48
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88SAR 7.04
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.51SAR 24.44
$5.99€5.25
8.68%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.96€6.97
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.25€1.10
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.68€2.35
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92SAR 3.44
$2.79€2.45
-67.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$60.1SAR 225
$46.13€40.40
30.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.26SAR 8.48
$4.28€3.75
-47.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35SAR 5.06
$0.87€0.76
55.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.60SAR 24.78
$14.45€12.66
-54.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.65SAR 2.43
$1.92€1.68
-66.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4KSAR 80.2K
$34.2K€29.9K
-37.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KSAR 85.4K
$39.6K€34.7K
-42.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124SAR 466
$148€130
-16.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.51SAR 130
$21.68€18.99
59.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.7SAR 303
$41.69€36.51
93.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$109SAR 410
$68.8€60.2
58.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.80SAR 138
$11.50€10.07
220.00%
Cinema Ticket
$17.36SAR 65.2
$8.47€7.42
104.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306SAR 1,147
$608€532
-49.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,541SAR 28.3K
$15.9K€13.9K
-52.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4SAR 238
$86.9€76.1
-27.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.8SAR 262
$38.35€33.59
81.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100SAR 376
$94.1€82.4
6.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.4SAR 302
$90.9€79.6
-11.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$433SAR 1,627
$1,696€1,485
-74.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$401SAR 1,505
$1,262€1,105
-68.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,059SAR 3,977
$3,736€3,272
-71.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$813SAR 3,054
$2,687€2,353
-69.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,442SAR 9,169
$6,915€6,056
-64.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423SAR 5,344
$4,882€4,276
-70.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,856SAR 6,970
$2,308€2,022
-19.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.84
3.81
0.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Khobar: July 11, 2026
Last update for Cascais: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $433 in Al Khobar and $1,696 in Cascais. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cascais pays 24% 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: $54.0 in Al Khobar vs $46.00 in Cascais. Groceries flip the comparison at $217 vs $264, with Al Khobar cheaper for home cooking.
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 Cascais: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Khobar or Cascais?
Al Khobar wins on cost – living expenses run 68% lower than in Cascais. 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 Cascais?
On paper, salaries run 24% lower in Cascais. 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 Cascais?
Rent for a central apartment: $433 in Al Khobar versus $1,696 in Cascais. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar compared to Cascais?
A monthly transit pass in Al Khobar runs roughly 30% less than in Cascais. 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 Cascais?
Childcare runs $306 in Al Khobar versus $608 in Cascais. 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 Cascais?
At $1,332 in Al Khobar versus $2,240 in Cascais, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Al Khobar but tight or insufficient in Cascais. 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 Cascais?
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 Cascais?
Safety-wise, Al Khobar and Cascais 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 68% less than in Cascais. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.