😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,229 in Cascais versus $1,402 in Al Khobar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,571 in Cascais versus $2,205 in Al Khobar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,914 in Cascais versus $3,008 in Al Khobar.
🌍Living in Cascais is roughly 59% more expensive than in Al Khobar, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Cascais62% above, Al Khobar2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.40€14.10
$6.53SAR 24.53
151.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.87€40.29
$60.0SAR 225
-21.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.62€8.27
$7.77SAR 29.18
23.81%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.66SAR 10.00
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.70SAR 10.15
-
Cappuccino
$2.70€2.32
$4.49SAR 16.88
-39.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99€1.71
$0.91SAR 3.41
118.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26€1.94
$0.41SAR 1.53
451.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.56€3.06
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.84€5.02
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32€1.13
$1.64SAR 6.15
-19.51%
White Bread(500g)
$2.30€1.98
$1.26SAR 4.73
82.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68€1.44
$2.46SAR 9.24
-31.71%
Eggs
$3.53€3.03
$2.39SAR 8.97
47.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.46€9.85
$7.18SAR 26.95
59.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.18€6.18
$9.91SAR 37.21
-27.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.18€13.91
$11.61SAR 43.59
39.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.93€2.52
$2.67SAR 10.01
9.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55€1.33
$1.74SAR 6.54
-10.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.57€2.21
$2.05SAR 7.70
25.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30€1.98
$1.83SAR 6.86
25.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.63€1.41
$1.39SAR 5.23
17.27%
Onion(1kg)
$2.47€2.13
$1.65SAR 6.18
49.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.71€1.47
$1.64SAR 6.16
4.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06€0.91
$0.57SAR 2.15
85.96%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.63SAR 9.86
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.64SAR 6.17
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.89SAR 7.10
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.07€5.22
$6.59SAR 24.74
-7.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.37€7.20
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32€1.14
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52€3.88
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.47€2.12
$0.78SAR 2.95
216.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.04€39.58
$67.3SAR 253
-31.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.28€1.96
$3.25SAR 12.21
-29.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.71SAR 10.18
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.81SAR 25.57
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09€1.80
$0.63SAR 2.38
231.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.6K€30.6K
$65.6KSAR 246.2K
-45.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3K€33.8K
$21.9KSAR 82.2K
79.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$142€122
$98.6SAR 370
44.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.83€22.21
$32.61SAR 122
-20.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.7€50.4
$70.2SAR 264
-16.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.4€54.5
$79.9SAR 300
-20.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.39€9.80
$36.21SAR 136
-68.54%
Cinema Ticket
$7.46€6.42
$15.15SAR 56.9
-50.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$751€646
$600SAR 2,253
25.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.6K€16.8K
$8,271SAR 31.1K
136.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.8€71.2
$63.5SAR 238
30.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.97€33.50
$81.4SAR 306
-52.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112€96.3
$97.5SAR 366
14.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142€122
$92.5SAR 347
53.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,837€1,579
$620SAR 2,328
196.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,184€1,018
$499SAR 1,872
137.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,966€3,410
$1,184SAR 4,445
235.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,630€2,261
$847SAR 3,180
210.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,151€6,148
$2,411SAR 9,054
196.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,961€4,265
$1,423SAR 5,342
248.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cascais
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,357€2,026
$1,843SAR 6,920
27.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.67
5.88
-37.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cascais: August 30, 2026
Last update for Al Khobar: September 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,837 in Cascais and $620 in Al Khobar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cascais pays 28% 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: $47.00 in Cascais vs $60.0 in Al Khobar. Groceries flip the comparison at $283 vs $216, 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 59% 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 in Al Khobar?
Average pay runs 28% higher in Cascais, 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 compared to Al Khobar?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,837 in Cascais versus $620 in Al Khobar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Cascais compared to Al Khobar?
A monthly transit pass in Al Khobar runs roughly 46% 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 in Al Khobar?
Childcare runs $751 in Cascais versus $600 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 in Al Khobar?
At $1,402 in Al Khobar versus $2,229 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 59% less than in Cascais. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.