😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,341 in Al Khobar versus $1,005 in Jizan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,136 in Al Khobar versus $1,595 in Jizan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,931 in Al Khobar versus $2,185 in Jizan.
😐Living in Al Khobar is roughly 33% more expensive than Jizan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Khobar is 0% above, Jizan is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.80SAR 25.51
$6.59SAR 24.71
3.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.4SAR 196
$26.92SAR 101
94.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.81SAR 29.27
$6.48SAR 24.31
20.52%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.03SAR 7.63
$1.77SAR 6.64
14.69%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73SAR 10.23
$1.84SAR 6.90
48.37%
Cappuccino
$4.23SAR 15.84
$3.30SAR 12.39
28.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02SAR 3.84
$0.69SAR 2.60
47.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49SAR 1.83
$0.19SAR 0.73
157.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.77SAR 6.63
$1.65SAR 6.19
7.27%
White Bread(500g)
$1.34SAR 5.02
$0.93SAR 3.50
44.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.40SAR 9.01
$2.00SAR 7.49
20.00%
Eggs
$2.82SAR 10.57
$2.61SAR 9.77
8.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.88SAR 25.80
$7.20SAR 27.02
-4.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.05SAR 33.93
$5.57SAR 20.88
62.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.37SAR 46.39
$15.96SAR 59.9
-22.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.43SAR 9.11
$1.85SAR 6.94
31.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73SAR 6.47
$1.39SAR 5.20
24.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.21SAR 8.29
$1.63SAR 6.12
35.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.62SAR 6.08
$1.23SAR 4.61
31.71%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43SAR 5.36
$1.09SAR 4.07
31.19%
Onion(1kg)
$1.72SAR 6.46
$1.10SAR 4.11
56.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.71SAR 6.40
$1.12SAR 4.20
52.68%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59SAR 2.23
$0.52SAR 1.94
13.46%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.72SAR 10.21
$1.57SAR 5.88
73.25%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47SAR 5.50
$1.70SAR 6.36
-13.53%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87SAR 7.02
$2.10SAR 7.87
-10.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.59SAR 24.71
$7.16SAR 26.85
-7.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.91SAR 3.40
$1.10SAR 4.12
-17.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.5SAR 223
$40.29SAR 151
47.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.21SAR 8.29
$2.64SAR 9.90
-16.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31SAR 4.90
$1.85SAR 6.94
-29.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.69SAR 25.08
$13.36SAR 50.1
-49.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.63SAR 2.38
$0.64SAR 2.38
-1.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KSAR 78.7K
$26.9KSAR 100.7K
-21.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KSAR 86.5K
$22.6KSAR 84.9K
1.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$123SAR 461
$88.9SAR 333
38.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.30SAR 129
$36.57SAR 137
-6.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.9SAR 303
$73.3SAR 275
10.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$109SAR 409
$87.9SAR 330
24.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.07SAR 135
$35.79SAR 134
0.78%
Cinema Ticket
$17.15SAR 64.3
$15.51SAR 58.2
10.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306SAR 1,147
$131SAR 490
133.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,552SAR 28.3K
$3,346SAR 12.5K
125.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.9SAR 236
$28.84SAR 108
118.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.8SAR 258
$46.50SAR 174
47.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.1SAR 372
$78.6SAR 295
26.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.1SAR 297
$83.5SAR 313
-5.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$437SAR 1,639
$319SAR 1,196
37.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$394SAR 1,479
$228SAR 855
72.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,054SAR 3,952
$504SAR 1,888
109.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$788SAR 2,955
$473SAR 1,775
66.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,411SAR 9,040
$804SAR 3,017
199.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,432SAR 5,370
-
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,942SAR 7,283
$1,625SAR 6,093
19.52%
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Jizan: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $437 in Al Khobar and $319 in Jizan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 20% 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: $52.0 in Al Khobar vs $27.00 in Jizan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $216 vs $188 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 Jizan?
Al Khobar pays 20% more on average, 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 vs Jizan?
Rent for a central apartment: $437 in Al Khobar versus $319 in Jizan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar vs 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 Jizan?
Childcare runs $306 in Al Khobar versus $131 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 Jizan?
At $1,005 in Jizan versus $1,341 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.