😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,434 in Al Khobar versus $914 in Jizan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,206 in Al Khobar versus $1,526 in Jizan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,978 in Al Khobar versus $2,137 in Jizan.
🌍Living in Al Khobar is roughly 57% more expensive than in Jizan, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Khobar is 5% above, Jizan is 33% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.83SAR 25.66
$5.26SAR 19.76
29.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.2SAR 226
$36.59SAR 137
64.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.83SAR 29.42
$7.37SAR 27.68
6.24%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70SAR 10.16
$1.71SAR 6.43
57.89%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60SAR 9.78
$1.83SAR 6.87
42.08%
Cappuccino
$4.47SAR 16.77
$3.27SAR 12.29
36.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99SAR 3.74
$0.77SAR 2.89
28.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41SAR 1.53
$0.26SAR 0.97
57.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63SAR 6.10
$1.68SAR 6.32
-2.98%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26SAR 4.72
$0.97SAR 3.64
29.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.53SAR 9.51
$2.25SAR 8.44
12.44%
Eggs
$2.36SAR 8.88
$2.98SAR 11.19
-20.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.20SAR 27.04
$7.56SAR 28.38
-4.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.00SAR 37.57
$5.28SAR 19.81
89.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.85SAR 44.49
$14.38SAR 54.0
-17.59%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76SAR 10.36
$1.88SAR 7.05
46.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.76SAR 6.62
$1.57SAR 5.88
12.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04SAR 7.67
$2.13SAR 8.01
-4.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.81SAR 6.81
$1.44SAR 5.42
25.69%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40SAR 5.25
$1.41SAR 5.31
-0.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70SAR 6.39
$1.50SAR 5.62
13.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.72SAR 6.48
$1.22SAR 4.59
40.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59SAR 2.20
$0.79SAR 2.96
-25.32%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.61SAR 9.81
$1.58SAR 5.95
65.19%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.59SAR 5.97
$1.93SAR 7.23
-17.62%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93SAR 7.23
$1.62SAR 6.08
19.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82SAR 25.63
$6.61SAR 24.83
3.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80SAR 3.02
$1.09SAR 4.09
-26.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.8SAR 258
$23.60SAR 88.6
191.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.35SAR 12.58
$2.69SAR 10.10
24.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.65SAR 9.94
$3.35SAR 12.58
-20.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.69SAR 25.13
$15.73SAR 59.1
-57.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.27
$0.59SAR 2.23
1.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9KSAR 254.9K
$44.0KSAR 165.3K
54.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KSAR 83.5K
$17.4KSAR 65.2K
28.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$98.7SAR 371
$105SAR 394
-5.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.44SAR 122
$37.02SAR 139
-12.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.3SAR 257
$64.1SAR 241
6.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$82.1SAR 308
$97.0SAR 364
-15.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.49SAR 137
$38.06SAR 143
-4.13%
Cinema Ticket
$15.05SAR 56.5
$16.17SAR 60.8
-6.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$611SAR 2,294
$198SAR 742
209.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,394SAR 31.5K
$4,179SAR 15.7K
100.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4SAR 238
$33.14SAR 124
91.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$81.7SAR 307
$53.7SAR 202
52.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.2SAR 365
$121SAR 454
-19.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.5SAR 355
$46.64SAR 175
102.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$642SAR 2,412
$271SAR 1,017
137.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$512SAR 1,921
$134SAR 502
283.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,183SAR 4,442
$473SAR 1,777
149.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$852SAR 3,201
$363SAR 1,362
135.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,432SAR 9,134
$791SAR 2,972
207.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,467SAR 5,512
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Jizan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,830SAR 6,872
$1,609SAR 6,043
13.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.88
5
17.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Khobar: September 13, 2026
Last update for Jizan: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $642 in Al Khobar and $271 in Jizan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 14% 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 $37.00 in Jizan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $219 vs $196 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 57% 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 14% 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: $642 in Al Khobar versus $271 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 191% 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 $611 in Al Khobar versus $198 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 $914 in Jizan versus $1,434 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 57% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.