🙂A single person spends $1,301 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $1,739 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,968 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $2,521 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,635 per month in Al Mubarraz vs $3,304 in Riyadh, rent included.
🙂Al Mubarraz is about 25% cheaper than Riyadh, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Al Mubarraz sits 3% below the global median, while Riyadh is 30% 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
$8.21SAR 30.82
-8.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.01SAR 146
$53.0SAR 199
-26.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.10SAR 26.64
$8.11SAR 30.45
-12.45%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.77SAR 6.66
$1.71SAR 6.41
3.51%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17SAR 8.14
$2.23SAR 8.37
-2.69%
Cappuccino
$4.12SAR 15.47
$4.09SAR 15.34
0.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64SAR 2.39
$0.71SAR 2.66
-9.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17SAR 0.65
$0.29SAR 1.07
-41.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69SAR 6.34
$1.68SAR 6.30
0.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.33SAR 4.97
$1.28SAR 4.79
3.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.39SAR 8.98
$2.35SAR 8.83
1.70%
Eggs
$2.61SAR 9.81
$2.73SAR 10.23
-4.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.63SAR 32.40
$8.64SAR 32.44
-0.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.14SAR 38.05
$10.02SAR 37.62
1.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.87SAR 55.8
$14.57SAR 54.7
2.06%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24SAR 8.43
$2.35SAR 8.82
-4.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74SAR 6.54
$1.75SAR 6.56
-0.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79SAR 6.73
$1.85SAR 6.93
-3.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55SAR 5.82
$1.53SAR 5.73
1.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24SAR 4.64
$1.29SAR 4.82
-3.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45SAR 5.44
$1.47SAR 5.50
-1.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.41SAR 5.28
$1.45SAR 5.44
-2.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53SAR 1.98
$0.53SAR 1.99
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.81SAR 10.53
$8.16SAR 30.61
-65.56%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79SAR 6.73
$1.71SAR 6.42
4.68%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40SAR 9.01
$2.38SAR 8.94
0.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.44SAR 27.92
$7.54SAR 28.29
-1.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SAR 4.07
$1.09SAR 4.09
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.01SAR 150
$36.73SAR 138
8.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.25SAR 12.20
$3.28SAR 12.29
-0.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.85SAR 6.95
$1.85SAR 6.95
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.56SAR 50.9
$13.49SAR 50.6
0.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.54SAR 2.01
$0.63SAR 2.36
-14.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KSAR 74.7K
$34.1KSAR 128.0K
-41.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KSAR 88.0K
$23.4KSAR 87.9K
0.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105SAR 395
$104SAR 391
1.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.26SAR 132
$34.25SAR 129
2.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.4SAR 283
$77.0SAR 289
-2.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$89.1SAR 334
$105SAR 394
-15.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.02SAR 131
$58.3SAR 219
-39.92%
Cinema Ticket
$15.68SAR 58.9
$16.17SAR 60.7
-3.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$464SAR 1,742
$457SAR 1,716
1.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,567SAR 35.9K
$9,739SAR 36.6K
-1.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.4SAR 223
$59.5SAR 223
-0.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.1SAR 244
$64.1SAR 241
1.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107SAR 402
$107SAR 400
0.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.6SAR 370
$100SAR 376
-1.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439SAR 1,649
$1,072SAR 4,023
-59.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374SAR 1,404
$841SAR 3,158
-55.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$843SAR 3,163
$2,027SAR 7,608
-58.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$611SAR 2,295
$1,090SAR 4,092
-43.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,358SAR 8,850
$3,075SAR 11.5K
-23.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,336SAR 5,012
$1,931SAR 7,246
-30.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Mubarraz
Riyadh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,047SAR 3,930
$2,252SAR 8,452
-53.50%
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: June 2, 2026
Last update for Riyadh: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $439 in Al Mubarraz versus $1,072 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 115% 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 $39.00 in Al Mubarraz versus $53.0 in Riyadh. Groceries tell a different story – $227 in Al Mubarraz vs $226 in Riyadh – so Riyadh wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Riyadh compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,301 in Al Mubarraz, $1,739 in Riyadh – roughly 34% 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 $1,952 per month in Al Mubarraz and $2,608 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 $464 per month in Al Mubarraz and $457 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?
Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Riyadh – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
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 $1,301, than in Riyadh at $1,739. 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 $1,301 in Al Mubarraz to $1,739 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