Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Al-Ula and Buenos Aires

For one person, living is cheaper in Al-Ula: $1,184 a month against $1,656 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $5,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Al-Ula
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,184
/mo nomad
Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,656
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Al-Ula and in Buenos Aires

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Al-Ula and in Buenos Aires actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,184 per month in Al-Ula vs $1,656 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Al-Ula $1,184
  • Buenos Aires $1,656

A couple spends around $1,757 per month in Al-Ula vs $2,697 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Al-Ula $1,757
  • Buenos Aires $2,697

A family of three spends $2,330 per month in Al-Ula vs $3,737 in Buenos Aires, rent included.

  • Al-Ula $2,330
  • Buenos Aires $3,737

Al-Ula is about 29% cheaper than Buenos Aires, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Al-Ula sits 12% below the global median, while Buenos Aires is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.11 SAR 22.91
$19.09 ARS 29.0K
-67.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.80 SAR 138
$65.8 ARS 99.9K
-44.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.96 SAR 29.87
$13.20 ARS 20.0K
-39.70%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.89 SAR 7.08
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30 SAR 8.62
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.17 SAR 11.89
$3.85 ARS 5,841
-17.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 SAR 3.24
$1.99 ARS 3,020
-56.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26 SAR 0.98
$1.60 ARS 2,430
-83.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.93 ARS 5,959
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.61 ARS 7,003
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 SAR 6.52
$1.50 ARS 2,272
16.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.27 SAR 4.75
$2.53 ARS 3,837
-49.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.30 SAR 8.62
$1.61 ARS 2,445
42.86%
Eggs
$2.32 SAR 8.72
$2.84 ARS 4,316
-18.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.39 SAR 27.75
$10.30 ARS 15.6K
-28.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.07 SAR 30.27
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
-19.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.67 SAR 47.54
$13.30 ARS 20.2K
-4.74%
Apples (1kg)
$2.25 SAR 8.45
$2.88 ARS 4,366
-21.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.76 SAR 6.60
$2.20 ARS 3,334
-20.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.58 SAR 5.94
$1.40 ARS 2,120
12.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 SAR 5.89
$1.98 ARS 3,004
-20.71%
Potato (1kg)
$1.23 SAR 4.61
$1.21 ARS 1,835
1.65%
Onion (1kg)
$1.28 SAR 4.79
$1.26 ARS 1,910
1.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 SAR 4.58
$1.71 ARS 2,592
-28.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 SAR 2.02
$1.72 ARS 2,603
-68.60%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.86 SAR 10.71
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 SAR 6.68
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 SAR 7.91
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.74 SAR 25.28
$4.29 ARS 6,505
57.11%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$5.70 ARS 8,645
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.17 ARS 3,288
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.76 ARS 4,188
-
🚌 Getting Around
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.09 SAR 4.08
$0.75 ARS 1,141
45.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$36.77 SAR 138
$27.27 ARS 41.4K
34.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.61 SAR 9.80
$1.57 ARS 2,375
66.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.85 SAR 6.95
$1.03 ARS 1,558
79.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.14 SAR 49.29
$7.90 ARS 12.0K
66.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.65 SAR 2.44
$1.42 ARS 2,160
-54.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.0K SAR 165.2K
$27.9K ARS 42.4M
57.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3K SAR 79.9K
$35.0K ARS 53.1M
-39.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 SAR 397
$195 ARS 296.2K
-45.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.21 SAR 125
$25.16 ARS 38.2K
32.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.8 SAR 247
$31.54 ARS 47.9K
108.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$82.4 SAR 309
$50.9 ARS 77.3K
61.82%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.73 ARS 25.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.33 SAR 50.0
$10.34 ARS 15.7K
28.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$425 SAR 1,596
$463 ARS 703.2K
-8.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,102 SAR 30.4K
$8,793 ARS 13.3M
-7.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.74 SAR 160
$120 ARS 181.8K
-64.33%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.4 SAR 208
$95.5 ARS 144.9K
-42.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.2 SAR 361
$114 ARS 173.1K
-15.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.6 SAR 329
$139 ARS 211.4K
-37.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$576 SAR 2,162
$756 ARS 1.1M
-23.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$372 SAR 1,397
$520 ARS 788.8K
-28.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$832 SAR 3,121
$1,590 ARS 2.4M
-47.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$572 SAR 2,147
$1,198 ARS 1.8M
-52.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,323 SAR 8,718
$2,713 ARS 4.1M
-14.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,382 SAR 5,187
$1,901 ARS 2.9M
-27.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al-Ula
Buenos Aires
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$938 ARS 1.4M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.54
57.25
-90.32%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al-Ula: October 11, 2026

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Al-Ula
$372
Buenos Aires
$520 39.6% $148
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al-Ula
$205
Buenos Aires
$252 22.9% $47
Groceries & Markets
Al-Ula
$203
Buenos Aires
$283 39.8% $81
Clothing & Footwear
Al-Ula
$127
Buenos Aires
$211 66.3% $84
Eating Out
Al-Ula
$115
Buenos Aires
$282 144% $166
Sport & Entertainment
Al-Ula
$109
Buenos Aires
$72 34.4% $37
Getting Around
Al-Ula
$53
Buenos Aires
$37 30.2% $16

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $576 in Al-Ula versus $756 in Buenos Aires. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Al-Ula versus $66.0 in Buenos Aires. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $283 – making Al-Ula the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Al-Ula
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🕒 Local time
13:44 1:44 PM
07:44 7:44 AM
6 h behind Al-Ula
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
32,413
2,891,082 Capital
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

ARS, USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.22 SAR (1 SAR = 0.237 EUR).

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,706 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.86 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Al-Ula Buenos Aires 12,190 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Al-Ula
  • Buenos Aires

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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-Ula vs Buenos Aires: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Al-Ula and in Buenos Aires compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,184 in Al-Ula, $1,656 in Buenos Aires – roughly 40% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Al-Ula compared to Buenos Aires?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,776 per month in Al-Ula and $2,484 in Buenos Aires. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Al-Ula and Buenos Aires?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Al-Ula, 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-Ula and Buenos Aires?
Kindergarten costs $425 per month in Al-Ula and $463 in Buenos Aires. 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 40% more in Buenos Aires, 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-Ula, where all-in costs run around $1,184, than in Buenos Aires at $1,656. In Al-Ula it covers expenses comfortably, while in Buenos Aires it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Al-Ula and Buenos Aires?
It depends on your priorities. Buenos Aires has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,184 in Al-Ula to $1,656 in Buenos Aires. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Al-Ula or Buenos Aires 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-Ula and Buenos Aires?
If budget matters most, go with Al-Ula. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Buenos Aires makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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