Cost of Living Comparison Between Dhahran and Jonesboro, AR Cost of Living Comparison Between Dhahran and Jonesboro, AR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,302 per month in Dhahran vs $1,952 in Jonesboro, AR, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,999 per month in Dhahran vs $3,128 in Jonesboro, AR, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,697 per month in Dhahran vs $4,304 in Jonesboro, AR, rent included.

Dhahran is about 33% cheaper than Jonesboro, AR, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Dhahran sits 3% below the global median, while Jonesboro, AR is 46% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.30 SAR 19.91

$14.81 $14.81

-64.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.06 SAR 150

$49.82 $49.82

-19.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.35 SAR 27.58

$8.66 $8.66

-15.13%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.01 SAR 7.56

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 SAR 5.96

Cappuccino

$3.67 SAR 13.79

$4.15 $4.15

-11.57%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 SAR 2.62

$2.19 $2.19

-68.04%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.20 SAR 0.73

$1.72 $1.72

-88.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.98 $3.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.16 $6.16

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 SAR 5.68

$0.94 $0.94

60.64%

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 SAR 4.43

$2.88 $2.88

-59.03%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 SAR 8.10

$2.08 $2.08

3.85%

Eggs

$2.36 SAR 8.86

$3.26 $3.26

-27.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.55 SAR 24.61

$4.52 $4.52

44.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.74 SAR 32.82

$5.47 $5.47

59.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.55 SAR 50.9

$7.67 $7.67

76.66%

Apples (1kg)

$2.17 SAR 8.15

$4.53 $4.53

-52.10%

Banana (1kg)

$1.42 SAR 5.34

$1.28 $1.28

10.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$2.17 $2.17

-27.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$3.60 $3.60

-63.89%

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 SAR 4.47

$1.59 $1.59

-25.16%

Onion (1kg)

$0.98 SAR 3.66

$2.15 $2.15

-54.42%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 SAR 4.01

$1.97 $1.97

-45.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 SAR 2.15

$1.97 $1.97

-71.07%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.76 SAR 17.88

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 SAR 7.53

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 SAR 5.83

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.21 SAR 34.59

$6.88 $6.88

33.87%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.88 $11.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 $1.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.47 $3.47

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 SAR 3.91

$1.03 $1.03

0.97%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.24 SAR 151

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.06 $3.06

-55.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.36 SAR 8.88

$1.48 $1.48

59.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.26 SAR 49.79

$35.60 $35.60

-62.75%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 SAR 2.39

$0.68 $0.68

-5.88%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$31.8K SAR 119.4K

$29.7K $29.7K

7.27%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.4K SAR 91.7K

$26.1K $26.1K

-6.30%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$106 SAR 397

$215 $215

-50.93%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$36.75 SAR 138

$68.4 $68.4

-46.26%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.3 SAR 271

$72.2 $72.2

0.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$184 SAR 689

$37.24 $37.24

392.88%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.54 SAR 133

Cinema Ticket

$12.10 SAR 45.42

$11.99 $11.99

0.92%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$403 SAR 1,514

$770 $770

-47.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,692 SAR 36.4K

$23.0K $23.0K

-57.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.7 SAR 224

$51.5 $51.5

15.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.7 SAR 281

$33.23 $33.23

124.80%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 SAR 322

$69.9 $69.9

22.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.9 SAR 360

$102 $102

-5.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$439 SAR 1,650

$1,203 $1,203

-63.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$381 SAR 1,430

$878 $878

-56.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$840 SAR 3,153

$1,312 $1,312

-35.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$633 SAR 2,377

$2,221 $2,221

-71.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,109 SAR 4,164

$1,552 $1,552

-28.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,053 SAR 3,955

$1,549 $1,549

-32.02%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,884 SAR 10.8K

$3,331 $3,331

-13.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.42

6.45

-31.47%

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

Last update for Dhahran: July 11, 2026

Last update for Jonesboro, AR: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $439 in Dhahran versus $1,203 in Jonesboro, AR. 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 15% higher in Jonesboro, AR, 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 $40.00 in Dhahran versus $50.0 in Jonesboro, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $198 vs $260 – making Dhahran 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

Dhahran vs Jonesboro, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Jonesboro, AR costs about 50% more than Dhahran, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,953 per month in Dhahran and $2,928 in Jonesboro, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Dhahran, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,302 in Dhahran and $1,952 in Jonesboro, AR. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $403 per month in Dhahran and $770 in Jonesboro, AR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Dhahran, where all-in costs run around $1,302, than in Jonesboro, AR at $1,952. In Dhahran it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jonesboro, AR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Dhahran – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Dhahran. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jonesboro, AR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.