😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,344 in Al Khobar versus $971 in Yanbu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,120 in Al Khobar versus $1,508 in Yanbu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,897 in Al Khobar versus $2,046 in Yanbu.
😐Living in Al Khobar is roughly 38% more expensive than Yanbu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Al Khobar is 0% above, Yanbu is 28% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.75SAR 25.34
$6.83SAR 25.65
-1.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6SAR 197
$38.98SAR 146
34.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.05SAR 30.20
$6.55SAR 24.58
22.90%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02SAR 7.59
$2.06SAR 7.72
-1.94%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72SAR 10.22
$1.56SAR 5.84
74.36%
Cappuccino
$4.32SAR 16.23
$3.72SAR 13.96
16.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00SAR 3.75
$0.70SAR 2.62
42.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51SAR 1.93
$0.23SAR 0.86
121.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69SAR 6.34
$1.75SAR 6.56
-3.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.38SAR 5.17
$0.91SAR 3.42
51.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.33SAR 8.75
$2.16SAR 8.12
7.87%
Eggs
$2.91SAR 10.91
$2.64SAR 9.89
10.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.59SAR 24.72
$5.97SAR 22.42
10.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.17SAR 34.43
$7.80SAR 29.26
17.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.70SAR 47.65
$11.96SAR 44.89
6.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.50SAR 9.38
$2.15SAR 8.07
16.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74SAR 6.54
$1.59SAR 5.95
9.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.11SAR 7.90
$1.39SAR 5.21
51.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.64SAR 6.17
$1.55SAR 5.82
5.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43SAR 5.38
$1.32SAR 4.97
8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.67SAR 6.26
$1.01SAR 3.80
65.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.76SAR 6.59
$1.06SAR 3.96
66.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62SAR 2.33
$0.55SAR 2.07
12.73%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.68SAR 10.05
$1.35SAR 5.06
98.52%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42SAR 5.34
$1.36SAR 5.11
4.41%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97SAR 7.39
$1.70SAR 6.38
15.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.75SAR 25.35
$6.44SAR 24.19
4.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92SAR 3.45
$1.08SAR 4.06
-14.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$61.6SAR 231
$32.85SAR 123
87.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.25SAR 8.44
$3.23SAR 12.11
-30.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.30SAR 4.87
$0.78SAR 2.94
66.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.59SAR 24.74
$15.21SAR 57.1
-56.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.25
$0.61SAR 2.30
-1.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KSAR 79.4K
$26.2KSAR 98.3K
-19.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KSAR 85.1K
$22.1KSAR 82.8K
2.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$123SAR 461
$108SAR 404
14.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.93SAR 131
$22.52SAR 84.5
55.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.1SAR 301
$69.6SAR 261
15.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$107SAR 400
$96.9SAR 364
9.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.08SAR 135
$35.83SAR 134
0.70%
Cinema Ticket
$17.66SAR 66.3
$13.50SAR 50.7
30.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307SAR 1,151
$320SAR 1,200
-4.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,553SAR 28.3K
$3,847SAR 14.4K
96.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.8SAR 239
$23.06SAR 86.6
176.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.0SAR 263
$21.68SAR 81.4
222.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.7SAR 370
$67.3SAR 252
46.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.8SAR 303
$48.02SAR 180
68.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$433SAR 1,624
$312SAR 1,170
38.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$397SAR 1,489
$237SAR 889
67.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,031SAR 3,869
$603SAR 2,264
70.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$790SAR 2,965
$400SAR 1,503
97.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,419SAR 9,077
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,457SAR 5,468
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Khobar
Yanbu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,866SAR 7,005
$3,519SAR 13.2K
-46.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.84
3.3
16.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Khobar: June 1, 2026
Last update for Yanbu: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $433 in Al Khobar and $312 in Yanbu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Yanbu pays 89% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Al Khobar vs $39.00 in Yanbu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $217 vs $189 per month, with Yanbu 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 Yanbu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Khobar or Yanbu?
Yanbu wins on cost – living expenses run 38% lower than in Al Khobar. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Yanbu the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Al Khobar or Yanbu?
On paper, Yanbu earns 89% less. 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 vs Yanbu?
Rent for a central apartment: $433 in Al Khobar versus $312 in Yanbu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Al Khobar vs Yanbu?
A monthly transit pass in Yanbu runs roughly 88% 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 Yanbu?
Childcare runs $307 in Al Khobar versus $320 in Yanbu. 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 Yanbu?
At $971 in Yanbu versus $1,344 in Al Khobar, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Yanbu but tight or insufficient in Al Khobar. The gap between the two cities makes Yanbu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Al Khobar or Yanbu?
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 Yanbu?
Safety-wise, Al Khobar and Yanbu 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 Yanbu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.