🙂A single person spends $1,270 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $1,758 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,965 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $2,475 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,660 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $3,192 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂Al Mubarraz is about 28% cheaper than Riyadh, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Al Mubarraz sits 5% below the global median, while Riyadh is 32% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.48SAR 28.08
$8.19SAR 30.76
-8.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.94SAR 142
$53.9SAR 202
-29.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.12SAR 26.72
$7.97SAR 29.91
-10.66%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72SAR 6.44
$1.69SAR 6.33
1.78%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18SAR 8.18
$2.31SAR 8.68
-5.63%
Cappuccino
$4.00SAR 15.03
$3.98SAR 14.94
0.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66SAR 2.47
$0.77SAR 2.88
-14.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19SAR 0.72
$0.31SAR 1.17
-38.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.68SAR 6.29
$1.69SAR 6.34
-0.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26SAR 4.73
$1.33SAR 4.98
-5.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.43SAR 9.11
$2.36SAR 8.85
2.97%
Eggs
$2.65SAR 9.93
$2.69SAR 10.10
-1.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.36SAR 31.39
$8.48SAR 31.84
-1.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.16SAR 38.15
$9.90SAR 37.17
2.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.49SAR 54.4
$14.50SAR 54.5
-0.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31SAR 8.69
$2.32SAR 8.73
-0.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67SAR 6.28
$1.74SAR 6.52
-4.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86SAR 6.99
$1.88SAR 7.06
-1.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55SAR 5.80
$1.59SAR 5.96
-2.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SAR 4.80
$1.25SAR 4.68
2.40%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51SAR 5.67
$1.46SAR 5.49
3.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44SAR 5.42
$1.43SAR 5.38
0.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53SAR 1.97
$0.52SAR 1.94
1.92%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.79SAR 10.49
$7.87SAR 29.54
-64.55%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80SAR 6.75
$1.79SAR 6.70
0.56%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43SAR 9.13
$2.41SAR 9.07
0.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.52SAR 28.24
$7.41SAR 27.83
1.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SAR 4.08
$1.08SAR 4.07
0.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.33SAR 151
$36.88SAR 138
9.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.29SAR 12.37
$3.22SAR 12.09
2.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91SAR 7.19
$1.84SAR 6.93
3.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.45SAR 50.5
$13.19SAR 49.54
1.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.54SAR 2.04
$0.64SAR 2.39
-15.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.8KSAR 74.4K
$35.1KSAR 131.8K
-43.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KSAR 88.5K
$23.4KSAR 88.0K
0.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104SAR 392
$106SAR 398
-1.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.57SAR 134
$35.14SAR 132
1.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.3SAR 283
$76.9SAR 289
-2.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.7SAR 329
$106SAR 399
-17.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.03SAR 132
$59.9SAR 225
-41.53%
Cinema Ticket
$15.69SAR 58.9
$16.22SAR 60.9
-3.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$452SAR 1,697
$465SAR 1,747
-2.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,474SAR 35.6K
$9,542SAR 35.8K
-0.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6SAR 224
$58.3SAR 219
2.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.5SAR 239
$65.1SAR 244
-2.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107SAR 401
$110SAR 413
-3.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.6SAR 374
$101SAR 378
-0.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$438SAR 1,645
$1,110SAR 4,167
-60.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$381SAR 1,430
$843SAR 3,164
-54.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$848SAR 3,185
$2,026SAR 7,608
-58.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$632SAR 2,375
$1,127SAR 4,233
-43.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,117SAR 7,948
$2,911SAR 10.9K
-27.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,437SAR 5,398
$1,938SAR 7,280
-25.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,073SAR 4,028
$2,020SAR 7,588
-46.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.31
5.31
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al Mubarraz: July 13, 2026
Last update for Riyadh: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $438 in Al Mubarraz versus $1,110 in Riyadh. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 88% higher in Riyadh, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Al Mubarraz versus $54.0 in Riyadh. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $225 vs $225 – making Al Mubarraz the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Mubarraz vs Riyadh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Al Mubarraz and in Riyadh compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,270 in Al Mubarraz, $1,758 in Riyadh – roughly 38% apart. Riyadh costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Al Mubarraz compared to Riyadh?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,905 per month in Al Mubarraz and $2,637 in Riyadh. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Al Mubarraz and Riyadh?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Al Mubarraz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Al Mubarraz and Riyadh?
Kindergarten costs $452 per month in Al Mubarraz and $465 in Riyadh. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 0% more in Riyadh, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al Mubarraz, where all-in costs run around $1,270, than in Riyadh at $1,758. In Al Mubarraz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Riyadh it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Al Mubarraz and Riyadh?
It depends on your priorities. Riyadh has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,270 in Al Mubarraz to $1,758 in Riyadh. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Al Mubarraz or Riyadh safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Al Mubarraz and Riyadh?
If budget matters most, go with Al Mubarraz. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Riyadh makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Al Mubarraz vs other spots: cost of living compared