🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,005 in Jizan versus $1,341 in Al Khobar.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,595 in Jizan versus $2,136 in Al Khobar.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,185 in Jizan versus $2,931 in Al Khobar.
🙂Living in Jizan costs roughly 25% less than in Al Khobar, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Jizan is 25% below, Al Khobar is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59SAR 24.71
$6.80SAR 25.51
-3.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.92SAR 101
$52.4SAR 196
-48.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.48SAR 24.31
$7.81SAR 29.27
-17.03%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.77SAR 6.64
$2.03SAR 7.63
-12.81%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84SAR 6.90
$2.73SAR 10.23
-32.60%
Cappuccino
$3.30SAR 12.39
$4.23SAR 15.84
-21.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69SAR 2.60
$1.02SAR 3.84
-32.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19SAR 0.73
$0.49SAR 1.83
-61.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65SAR 6.19
$1.77SAR 6.63
-6.78%
White Bread(500g)
$0.93SAR 3.50
$1.34SAR 5.02
-30.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.00SAR 7.49
$2.40SAR 9.01
-16.67%
Eggs
$2.61SAR 9.77
$2.82SAR 10.57
-7.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.20SAR 27.02
$6.88SAR 25.80
4.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.57SAR 20.88
$9.05SAR 33.93
-38.45%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.96SAR 59.9
$12.37SAR 46.39
29.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.85SAR 6.94
$2.43SAR 9.11
-23.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.39SAR 5.20
$1.73SAR 6.47
-19.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.63SAR 6.12
$2.21SAR 8.29
-26.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.23SAR 4.61
$1.62SAR 6.08
-24.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.09SAR 4.07
$1.43SAR 5.36
-23.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10SAR 4.11
$1.72SAR 6.46
-36.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.12SAR 4.20
$1.71SAR 6.40
-34.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52SAR 1.94
$0.59SAR 2.23
-11.86%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.57SAR 5.88
$2.72SAR 10.21
-42.28%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70SAR 6.36
$1.47SAR 5.50
15.65%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10SAR 7.87
$1.87SAR 7.02
12.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.16SAR 26.85
$6.59SAR 24.71
8.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.10SAR 4.12
$0.91SAR 3.40
20.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.29SAR 151
$59.5SAR 223
-32.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.64SAR 9.90
$2.21SAR 8.29
19.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.85SAR 6.94
$1.31SAR 4.90
41.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.36SAR 50.1
$6.69SAR 25.08
99.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64SAR 2.38
$0.63SAR 2.38
1.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9KSAR 100.7K
$21.0KSAR 78.7K
27.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6KSAR 84.9K
$23.1KSAR 86.5K
-1.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.9SAR 333
$123SAR 461
-27.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.57SAR 137
$34.30SAR 129
6.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.3SAR 275
$80.9SAR 303
-9.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.9SAR 330
$109SAR 409
-19.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.79SAR 134
$36.07SAR 135
-0.78%
Cinema Ticket
$15.51SAR 58.2
$17.15SAR 64.3
-9.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$131SAR 490
$306SAR 1,147
-57.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,346SAR 12.5K
$7,552SAR 28.3K
-55.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.84SAR 108
$62.9SAR 236
-54.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.50SAR 174
$68.8SAR 258
-32.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.6SAR 295
$99.1SAR 372
-20.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.5SAR 313
$79.1SAR 297
5.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$319SAR 1,196
$437SAR 1,639
-27.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$228SAR 855
$394SAR 1,479
-42.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$504SAR 1,888
$1,054SAR 3,952
-52.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$473SAR 1,775
$788SAR 2,955
-39.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$804SAR 3,017
$2,411SAR 9,040
-66.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,432SAR 5,370
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jizan
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,625SAR 6,093
$1,942SAR 7,283
-16.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.42
3.84
15.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jizan: April 28, 2026
Last update for Al Khobar: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $319 in Jizan and $437 in Al Khobar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Al Khobar pays 20% 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: $27.00 in Jizan vs $52.0 in Al Khobar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $216 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 33% 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 Al Khobar?
On paper, Al Khobar earns 20% less. 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 vs Al Khobar?
Rent for a central apartment: $319 in Jizan versus $437 in Al Khobar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Jizan vs Al Khobar?
A monthly transit pass in Jizan runs roughly 48% 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 Al Khobar?
Childcare runs $131 in Jizan versus $306 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 Al Khobar?
At $1,005 in Jizan versus $1,341 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 33% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.