😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,195 in Cascais versus $1,344 in Al Khobar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,513 in Cascais versus $2,120 in Al Khobar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,831 in Cascais versus $2,897 in Al Khobar.
😐Living in Cascais is roughly 63% more expensive than Al Khobar, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Cascais64% above, Al Khobar0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.14€12.17
$6.75SAR 25.34
109.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.31€39.87
$52.6SAR 197
-11.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.08€7.82
$8.05SAR 30.20
12.80%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.02SAR 7.59
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.72SAR 10.22
-
Cappuccino
$2.89€2.49
$4.32SAR 16.23
-33.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15€1.85
$1.00SAR 3.75
115.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$0.51SAR 1.93
194.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.25€1.93
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46€2.97
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07€0.92
$1.69SAR 6.34
-36.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.83€1.57
$1.38SAR 5.17
32.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88€1.62
$2.33SAR 8.75
-19.31%
Eggs
$3.08€2.65
$2.91SAR 10.91
5.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.13€9.58
$6.59SAR 24.72
68.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.77€6.69
$9.17SAR 34.43
-15.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.43€12.42
$12.70SAR 47.66
13.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.48€2.14
$2.50SAR 9.38
-0.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70€1.47
$1.74SAR 6.54
-2.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96€1.69
$2.11SAR 7.91
-7.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.90€2.50
$1.64SAR 6.17
76.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.46€1.26
$1.43SAR 5.38
2.10%
Onion(1kg)
$2.05€1.77
$1.67SAR 6.26
22.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.72€1.48
$1.76SAR 6.59
-2.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94€0.81
$0.62SAR 2.33
51.61%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.68SAR 10.05
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.42SAR 5.34
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.97SAR 7.39
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.07€5.22
$6.75SAR 25.35
-10.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.96€6.85
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27€1.09
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64€2.27
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.67€2.29
$0.92SAR 3.45
190.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.99€40.46
$61.6SAR 231
-23.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.06€3.49
$2.25SAR 8.44
80.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.86€0.74
$1.30SAR 4.87
-33.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.53€12.51
$6.59SAR 24.75
120.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98€1.71
$0.60SAR 2.25
230.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9K€30.0K
$21.2KSAR 79.4K
64.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.0K€34.5K
$22.7KSAR 85.1K
76.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$147€127
$123SAR 461
19.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.49€18.50
$34.93SAR 131
-38.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.98€36.14
$80.1SAR 301
-47.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.9€59.3
$107SAR 400
-35.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.37€9.79
$36.08SAR 135
-68.49%
Cinema Ticket
$8.42€7.25
$17.66SAR 66.3
-52.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$616€530
$307SAR 1,151
100.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2K€13.9K
$7,553SAR 28.4K
114.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.5€75.3
$63.8SAR 239
37.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.42€33.08
$70.0SAR 263
-45.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.7€79.8
$98.7SAR 370
-6.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.1€81.0
$80.8SAR 303
16.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,712€1,474
$433SAR 1,624
295.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,277€1,100
$397SAR 1,489
222.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,794€3,266
$1,031SAR 3,869
268.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,605€2,243
$790SAR 2,966
229.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,217€6,213
$2,419SAR 9,078
198.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,058€4,354
$1,457SAR 5,469
247.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,300€1,980
$1,866SAR 7,005
23.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
3.84
-0.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cascais: June 2, 2026
Last update for Al Khobar: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,712 in Cascais and $433 in Al Khobar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cascais pays 23% 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: $46.00 in Cascais vs $53.0 in Al Khobar. Groceries flip the comparison at $263 vs $217, with Al Khobar cheaper for home cooking.
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
Cascais vs Al Khobar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Cascais or Al Khobar?
Al Khobar wins on cost – living expenses run 63% lower than in Cascais. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Al Khobar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Cascais or Al Khobar?
Cascais pays 23% more on average, 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 Cascais vs Al Khobar?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,712 in Cascais versus $433 in Al Khobar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Cascais vs Al Khobar?
A monthly transit pass in Al Khobar runs roughly 31% less than in Cascais. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Cascais and Al Khobar?
Childcare runs $616 in Cascais versus $307 in Al Khobar. 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 Cascais or Al Khobar?
At $1,344 in Al Khobar versus $2,195 in Cascais, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Al Khobar but tight or insufficient in Cascais. The gap between the two cities makes Al Khobar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Cascais or Al Khobar?
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 Cascais compared to Al Khobar?
Safety-wise, Cascais and Al Khobar 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 Al Khobar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 63% less than in Cascais. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.