🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,434 in Al Khobar versus $2,211 in Cascais.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,206 in Al Khobar versus $3,554 in Cascais.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,978 in Al Khobar versus $4,897 in Cascais.
🌍Living in Al Khobar costs roughly 35% less than in Cascais, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Al Khobar5% above, Cascais62% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.83SAR 25.66
$16.42€14.31
-58.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2SAR 226
$45.29€39.48
32.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83SAR 29.42
$9.56€8.34
-18.10%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70SAR 10.16
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60SAR 9.78
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.47SAR 16.77
$2.81€2.45
59.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99SAR 3.74
$2.03€1.77
-51.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41SAR 1.53
$2.28€1.99
-82.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.43€2.99
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.80€5.06
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63SAR 6.10
$1.29€1.13
26.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26SAR 4.72
$2.30€2.00
-45.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.53SAR 9.51
$1.77€1.54
42.94%
Eggs
$2.36SAR 8.88
$3.55€3.09
-33.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.20SAR 27.04
$11.28€9.83
-36.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.00SAR 37.57
$7.14€6.22
40.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.85SAR 44.49
$15.97€13.92
-25.80%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76SAR 10.36
$2.92€2.55
-5.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.76SAR 6.62
$1.54€1.34
14.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04SAR 7.67
$2.50€2.18
-18.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.81SAR 6.81
$2.21€1.93
-18.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40SAR 5.25
$1.62€1.41
-13.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70SAR 6.39
$2.40€2.10
-29.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.72SAR 6.48
$1.76€1.53
-2.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59SAR 2.20
$1.11€0.97
-46.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.61SAR 9.81
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59SAR 5.97
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93SAR 7.23
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82SAR 25.63
$6.00€5.23
13.67%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.93€6.91
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.26€1.10
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.66€4.06
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80SAR 3.02
$2.58€2.25
-68.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.8SAR 258
$45.30€39.49
51.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.35SAR 12.58
$2.30€2.00
45.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.65SAR 9.94
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.69SAR 25.13
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.27
$2.17€1.90
-72.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9KSAR 254.9K
$34.9K€30.4K
94.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KSAR 83.5K
$39.7K€34.6K
-44.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$98.7SAR 371
$139€121
-28.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.44SAR 122
$26.41€23.02
22.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.3SAR 257
$57.6€50.2
18.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$82.1SAR 308
$63.4€55.2
29.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.49SAR 137
$11.73€10.22
211.08%
Cinema Ticket
$15.05SAR 56.5
$7.57€6.60
98.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$611SAR 2,294
$756€659
-19.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,394SAR 31.5K
$19.3K€16.8K
-56.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4SAR 238
$81.2€70.8
-21.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$81.7SAR 307
$38.84€33.86
110.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.2SAR 365
$109€94.7
-10.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.5SAR 355
$141€123
-32.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$642SAR 2,412
$1,839€1,603
-65.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$512SAR 1,921
$1,158€1,010
-55.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,183SAR 4,442
$3,991€3,479
-70.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$852SAR 3,201
$2,668€2,325
-68.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,432SAR 9,134
$7,105€6,194
-65.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,467SAR 5,512
$5,101€4,446
-71.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Cascais
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,830SAR 6,872
$2,324€2,026
-21.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.88
3.67
60.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Khobar: September 13, 2026
Last update for Cascais: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $642 in Al Khobar and $1,839 in Cascais. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cascais pays 27% 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: $60.0 in Al Khobar vs $45.00 in Cascais. Groceries flip the comparison at $219 vs $281, 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 54% 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 27% 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: $642 in Al Khobar versus $1,839 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 52% 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 $611 in Al Khobar versus $756 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 $1,434 in Al Khobar versus $2,211 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 54% less than in Cascais. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.