😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,332 in Al Khobar versus $1,056 in Najran.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,100 in Al Khobar versus $1,657 in Najran.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,868 in Al Khobar versus $2,257 in Najran.
🌍Living in Al Khobar is roughly 26% more expensive than in Najran, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Khobar is 0% above, Najran is 21% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.82SAR 25.60
$8.18SAR 30.73
-16.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.0SAR 203
$22.49SAR 84.5
140.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.19SAR 30.77
$8.59SAR 32.24
-4.66%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.98SAR 7.44
$1.56SAR 5.86
26.92%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70SAR 10.13
$1.30SAR 4.86
107.69%
Cappuccino
$4.26SAR 16.01
$4.29SAR 16.10
-0.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96SAR 3.61
$0.79SAR 2.95
21.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49SAR 1.83
$0.28SAR 1.06
75.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69SAR 6.34
$2.25SAR 8.44
-24.89%
White Bread(500g)
$1.40SAR 5.24
$1.01SAR 3.80
38.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.32SAR 8.72
$2.38SAR 8.95
-2.52%
Eggs
$2.88SAR 10.81
$2.20SAR 8.28
30.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.94SAR 26.05
$6.74SAR 25.32
2.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.12SAR 34.26
$5.95SAR 22.33
53.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.61SAR 47.34
$14.51SAR 54.5
-13.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.54SAR 9.53
$1.68SAR 6.32
51.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72SAR 6.45
$2.05SAR 7.70
-16.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13SAR 8.00
$1.74SAR 6.54
22.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57SAR 5.88
$1.56SAR 5.88
0.64%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41SAR 5.30
$1.25SAR 4.68
12.80%
Onion(1kg)
$1.72SAR 6.47
$1.26SAR 4.75
36.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.70SAR 6.38
$1.34SAR 5.05
26.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60SAR 2.24
$0.68SAR 2.56
-11.76%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.70SAR 10.14
$2.83SAR 10.63
-4.59%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.46SAR 5.48
$1.63SAR 6.10
-10.43%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88SAR 7.04
$2.06SAR 7.75
-8.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.51SAR 24.45
$8.07SAR 30.32
-19.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92SAR 3.44
$1.05SAR 3.95
-12.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$60.1SAR 225
$40.06SAR 150
49.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.26SAR 8.48
$2.59SAR 9.73
-12.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35SAR 5.06
$1.89SAR 7.10
-28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.60SAR 24.78
$13.22SAR 49.63
-50.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.65SAR 2.43
$0.57SAR 2.14
14.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4KSAR 80.2K
$26.8KSAR 100.7K
-20.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KSAR 85.4K
$22.4KSAR 84.1K
1.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124SAR 466
$103SAR 389
19.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.51SAR 130
$34.17SAR 128
1.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.7SAR 303
$72.9SAR 274
10.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$109SAR 410
$87.3SAR 328
25.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.80SAR 138
$36.24SAR 136
1.55%
Cinema Ticket
$17.36SAR 65.2
$15.83SAR 59.5
9.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306SAR 1,147
$357SAR 1,340
-14.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,541SAR 28.3K
$6,950SAR 26.1K
8.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4SAR 238
$58.2SAR 218
9.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.8SAR 262
$59.8SAR 224
16.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100SAR 376
$77.6SAR 292
28.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.4SAR 302
$81.6SAR 306
-1.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$433SAR 1,627
$346SAR 1,299
25.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$401SAR 1,505
$203SAR 762
97.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,059SAR 3,977
$601SAR 2,258
76.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$813SAR 3,054
$429SAR 1,612
89.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,442SAR 9,169
$2,513SAR 9,435
-2.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,423SAR 5,344
$1,138SAR 4,275
25.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Najran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,856SAR 6,971
$1,736SAR 6,518
6.95%
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: July 11, 2026
Last update for Najran: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $433 in Al Khobar and $346 in Najran. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 7% 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 $22.00 in Najran for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $217 vs $200 per month, with Najran 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 Najran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Khobar or Najran?
Najran wins on cost – living expenses run 26% lower than in Al Khobar. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Najran the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Al Khobar or in Najran?
Average pay runs 7% 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 Najran?
Rent for a central apartment: $433 in Al Khobar versus $346 in Najran. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar compared to Najran?
A monthly transit pass in Najran runs roughly 50% 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 Najran?
Childcare runs $306 in Al Khobar versus $357 in Najran. 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 Najran?
At $1,056 in Najran versus $1,332 in Al Khobar, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Najran but tight or insufficient in Al Khobar. The gap between the two cities makes Najran the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Al Khobar or Najran?
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 Najran?
Safety-wise, Al Khobar and Najran 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 Najran gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.