🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $914 in Jizan versus $1,434 in Al Khobar.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,526 in Jizan versus $2,206 in Al Khobar.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,137 in Jizan versus $2,978 in Al Khobar.
🌍Living in Jizan costs roughly 36% less than in Al Khobar, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Jizan is 33% below, Al Khobar is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.26SAR 19.76
$6.83SAR 25.66
-22.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.59SAR 137
$60.2SAR 226
-39.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.37SAR 27.68
$7.83SAR 29.42
-5.87%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.71SAR 6.43
$2.70SAR 10.16
-36.67%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83SAR 6.87
$2.60SAR 9.78
-29.62%
Cappuccino
$3.27SAR 12.29
$4.47SAR 16.77
-26.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77SAR 2.89
$0.99SAR 3.74
-22.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26SAR 0.97
$0.41SAR 1.53
-36.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.68SAR 6.32
$1.63SAR 6.10
3.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97SAR 3.64
$1.26SAR 4.72
-23.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.25SAR 8.44
$2.53SAR 9.51
-11.07%
Eggs
$2.98SAR 11.19
$2.36SAR 8.88
26.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.56SAR 28.38
$7.20SAR 27.04
5.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.28SAR 19.81
$10.00SAR 37.57
-47.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.38SAR 54.0
$11.85SAR 44.49
21.35%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88SAR 7.05
$2.76SAR 10.36
-31.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57SAR 5.88
$1.76SAR 6.62
-10.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13SAR 8.01
$2.04SAR 7.67
4.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.44SAR 5.42
$1.81SAR 6.81
-20.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41SAR 5.31
$1.40SAR 5.25
0.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50SAR 5.62
$1.70SAR 6.39
-11.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22SAR 4.59
$1.72SAR 6.48
-29.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79SAR 2.96
$0.59SAR 2.20
33.90%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.58SAR 5.95
$2.61SAR 9.81
-39.46%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93SAR 7.23
$1.59SAR 5.97
21.38%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62SAR 6.08
$1.93SAR 7.23
-16.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.61SAR 24.83
$6.82SAR 25.63
-3.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SAR 4.09
$0.80SAR 3.02
36.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.60SAR 88.6
$68.8SAR 258
-65.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.69SAR 10.10
$3.35SAR 12.58
-19.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.35SAR 12.58
$2.65SAR 9.94
26.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.73SAR 59.1
$6.69SAR 25.13
135.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.59SAR 2.23
$0.60SAR 2.27
-1.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.0KSAR 165.3K
$67.9KSAR 254.9K
-35.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4KSAR 65.2K
$22.2KSAR 83.5K
-21.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105SAR 394
$98.7SAR 371
6.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.02SAR 139
$32.44SAR 122
14.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.1SAR 241
$68.3SAR 257
-6.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.0SAR 364
$82.1SAR 308
18.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$38.06SAR 143
$36.49SAR 137
4.30%
Cinema Ticket
$16.17SAR 60.8
$15.05SAR 56.5
7.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198SAR 742
$611SAR 2,294
-67.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,179SAR 15.7K
$8,394SAR 31.5K
-50.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.14SAR 124
$63.4SAR 238
-47.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.7SAR 202
$81.7SAR 307
-34.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121SAR 454
$97.2SAR 365
24.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.64SAR 175
$94.5SAR 355
-50.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$271SAR 1,017
$642SAR 2,412
-57.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$134SAR 502
$512SAR 1,921
-73.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$473SAR 1,777
$1,183SAR 4,442
-59.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$363SAR 1,362
$852SAR 3,201
-57.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$791SAR 2,972
$2,432SAR 9,134
-67.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,467SAR 5,512
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,609SAR 6,043
$1,830SAR 6,872
-12.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.88
-14.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jizan: September 13, 2026
Last update for Al Khobar: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $271 in Jizan and $642 in Al Khobar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 14% 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: $37.00 in Jizan vs $60.0 in Al Khobar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $196 vs $219 per month, with Jizan cheaper across the board.
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
Jizan vs Al Khobar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jizan or Al Khobar?
Jizan wins on cost – living expenses run 57% lower than in Al Khobar. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Jizan the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Jizan or in Al Khobar?
On paper, salaries run 14% lower in Al Khobar. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Jizan compared to Al Khobar?
Rent for a central apartment: $271 in Jizan versus $642 in Al Khobar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Jizan compared to Al Khobar?
A monthly transit pass in Jizan runs roughly 191% less than in Al Khobar. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Jizan and in Al Khobar?
Childcare runs $198 in Jizan versus $611 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 Jizan or in Al Khobar?
At $914 in Jizan versus $1,434 in Al Khobar, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Jizan but tight or insufficient in Al Khobar. The gap between the two cities makes Jizan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Jizan 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 Jizan compared to Al Khobar?
Safety-wise, Jizan 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 Jizan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 57% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.