😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,353 in Al Khobar versus $1,020 in Jizan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,112 in Al Khobar versus $1,617 in Jizan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,870 in Al Khobar versus $2,215 in Jizan.
🌍Living in Al Khobar is roughly 33% more expensive than in Jizan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Khobar is 1% above, Jizan is 23% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.61SAR 24.80
$6.74SAR 25.30
-1.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.0SAR 203
$26.49SAR 99.4
103.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.05SAR 30.21
$6.81SAR 25.56
18.21%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.97SAR 7.39
$1.71SAR 6.40
15.20%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60SAR 9.74
$1.77SAR 6.66
46.89%
Cappuccino
$4.23SAR 15.87
$3.40SAR 12.75
24.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94SAR 3.52
$0.65SAR 2.43
44.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48SAR 1.81
$0.18SAR 0.69
166.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70SAR 6.38
$1.64SAR 6.16
3.66%
White Bread(500g)
$1.40SAR 5.24
$0.95SAR 3.55
47.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37SAR 8.90
$2.00SAR 7.50
18.50%
Eggs
$2.83SAR 10.62
$2.58SAR 9.68
9.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.79SAR 25.47
$7.51SAR 28.18
-9.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.15SAR 34.33
$5.60SAR 21.01
63.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.28SAR 46.10
$16.00SAR 60.0
-23.25%
Apples(1kg)
$2.50SAR 9.39
$1.76SAR 6.61
42.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73SAR 6.50
$1.39SAR 5.23
24.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.21SAR 8.30
$1.71SAR 6.42
29.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58SAR 5.92
$1.21SAR 4.54
30.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.49SAR 5.60
$1.10SAR 4.11
35.45%
Onion(1kg)
$1.74SAR 6.51
$1.09SAR 4.10
59.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.75SAR 6.58
$1.16SAR 4.35
50.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60SAR 2.24
$0.51SAR 1.91
17.65%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.70SAR 10.12
$1.62SAR 6.10
66.67%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48SAR 5.56
$1.75SAR 6.55
-15.43%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96SAR 7.35
$2.09SAR 7.86
-6.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.68SAR 25.08
$6.92SAR 25.97
-3.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89SAR 3.32
$1.09SAR 4.09
-18.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.6SAR 224
$40.15SAR 151
48.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.24SAR 8.41
$2.62SAR 9.83
-14.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.36SAR 5.11
$1.92SAR 7.22
-29.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.83SAR 25.65
$13.39SAR 50.3
-48.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.63SAR 2.38
$0.60SAR 2.24
5.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7KSAR 81.6K
$26.2KSAR 98.3K
-16.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KSAR 86.9K
$22.2KSAR 83.5K
4.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$122SAR 457
$86.6SAR 325
40.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.14SAR 128
$36.97SAR 139
-7.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.5SAR 302
$72.2SAR 271
11.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$108SAR 404
$86.3SAR 324
24.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.22SAR 136
$35.01SAR 131
3.46%
Cinema Ticket
$17.10SAR 64.2
$15.40SAR 57.8
11.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$311SAR 1,169
$133SAR 498
134.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,735SAR 29.0K
$3,324SAR 12.5K
132.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.5SAR 242
$29.56SAR 111
118.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$71.1SAR 267
$46.20SAR 173
53.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.0SAR 372
$80.6SAR 302
22.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.7SAR 303
$80.8SAR 303
-0.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$432SAR 1,620
$327SAR 1,228
31.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393SAR 1,476
$227SAR 851
73.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,052SAR 3,950
$499SAR 1,873
110.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$804SAR 3,016
$472SAR 1,772
70.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,374SAR 8,911
$794SAR 2,981
198.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,456SAR 5,464
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,847SAR 6,933
$1,660SAR 6,230
11.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.84
4.42
-13.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Khobar: June 15, 2026
Last update for Jizan: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $432 in Al Khobar and $327 in Jizan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 11% 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 $26.00 in Jizan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $216 vs $189 per month, with Jizan cheaper across the board.
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 Jizan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Khobar or Jizan?
Jizan wins on cost – living expenses run 33% lower than in Al Khobar. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Jizan the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Al Khobar or in Jizan?
Average pay runs 11% higher in Al Khobar, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Al Khobar compared to Jizan?
Rent for a central apartment: $432 in Al Khobar versus $327 in Jizan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar compared to Jizan?
A monthly transit pass in Jizan runs roughly 48% less than in Al Khobar. 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 Jizan?
Childcare runs $311 in Al Khobar versus $133 in Jizan. 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 Jizan?
At $1,020 in Jizan versus $1,353 in Al Khobar, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jizan but tight or insufficient in Al Khobar. The gap between the two cities makes Jizan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Al Khobar or Jizan?
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 Jizan?
Safety-wise, Al Khobar and Jizan 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 Jizan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.