Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Jubail and Al Khobar

For one person, living is cheaper in Jubail: $1,100 a month against $1,487 in Al Khobar, rent and utilities included – about $4,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Jubail
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,100
/mo nomad
Al Khobar
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,487
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Jubail and in Al Khobar

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Jubail and in Al Khobar actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,100 in Jubail versus $1,487 in Al Khobar.

  • Jubail $1,100
  • Al Khobar $1,487

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,720 in Jubail versus $2,252 in Al Khobar.

  • Jubail $1,720
  • Al Khobar $2,252

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,339 in Jubail versus $3,016 in Al Khobar.

  • Jubail $2,339
  • Al Khobar $3,016

Living in Jubail costs roughly 26% less than in Al Khobar, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

The two cities straddle the global median: Jubail is 19% below, Al Khobar is 9% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.82 SAR 25.60
$6.81 SAR 25.56
0.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.32 SAR 148
$59.9 SAR 225
-34.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.07 SAR 34.03
$8.00 SAR 30.00
13.38%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.92 SAR 7.21
$2.61 SAR 9.79
-26.44%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 SAR 8.59
$2.64 SAR 9.91
-13.26%
Cappuccino
$3.99 SAR 14.97
$4.43 SAR 16.63
-9.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00 SAR 3.74
$0.87 SAR 3.26
14.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 SAR 1.06
$0.40 SAR 1.52
-30.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 SAR 5.61
$1.69 SAR 6.36
-11.24%
White Bread (500g)
$1.45 SAR 5.45
$1.27 SAR 4.76
14.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.62 SAR 6.09
$2.54 SAR 9.53
-36.22%
Eggs
$2.06 SAR 7.74
$2.45 SAR 9.21
-15.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.82 SAR 36.85
$7.28 SAR 27.33
34.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.44 SAR 24.16
$10.16 SAR 38.13
-36.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.15 SAR 45.57
$11.86 SAR 44.48
2.45%
Apples (1kg)
$2.24 SAR 8.39
$2.66 SAR 9.97
-15.79%
Banana (1kg)
$1.76 SAR 6.60
$1.69 SAR 6.36
4.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.56 SAR 5.87
$2.04 SAR 7.66
-23.53%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.69 SAR 6.34
$1.75 SAR 6.56
-3.43%
Potato (1kg)
$1.29 SAR 4.85
$1.40 SAR 5.27
-7.86%
Onion (1kg)
$1.40 SAR 5.25
$1.65 SAR 6.20
-15.15%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.75 SAR 6.56
$1.75 SAR 6.55
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 SAR 2.04
$0.58 SAR 2.18
-6.90%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.00 SAR 11.27
$2.73 SAR 10.26
9.89%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 SAR 8.21
$1.65 SAR 6.18
32.73%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 SAR 7.63
$1.90 SAR 7.13
6.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.64 SAR 24.90
$6.75 SAR 25.31
-1.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.31 SAR 4.91
$0.95 SAR 3.55
37.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.90 SAR 89.7
$61.9 SAR 232
-61.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.25 SAR 12.21
$2.90 SAR 10.88
12.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.74 SAR 10.27
$2.64 SAR 9.89
3.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.54 SAR 50.8
$6.58 SAR 24.67
105.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 SAR 2.27
$0.64 SAR 2.39
-4.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K SAR 100.5K
$67.8K SAR 254.4K
-60.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K SAR 81.3K
$21.6K SAR 81.0K
0.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.1 SAR 301
$99.4 SAR 373
-19.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.36 SAR 103
$33.37 SAR 125
-18.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.1 SAR 248
$68.9 SAR 258
-4.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$104 SAR 391
$81.3 SAR 305
28.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.93 SAR 150
$36.86 SAR 138
8.33%
Cinema Ticket
$13.58 SAR 50.9
$15.26 SAR 57.3
-11.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$178 SAR 667
$607 SAR 2,278
-70.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,690 SAR 28.8K
$8,542 SAR 32.0K
-9.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.14 SAR 158
$63.4 SAR 238
-33.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 SAR 222
$82.3 SAR 309
-27.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.1 SAR 300
$97.8 SAR 367
-18.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.6 SAR 325
$94.4 SAR 354
-8.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$424 SAR 1,591
$766 SAR 2,875
-44.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$295 SAR 1,105
$583 SAR 2,189
-49.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$667 SAR 2,502
$1,247 SAR 4,677
-46.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$520 SAR 1,950
$906 SAR 3,400
-42.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,743 SAR 10.3K
$1,456 SAR 5,462
88.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,396 SAR 5,238
$1,072 SAR 4,023
30.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jubail
Al Khobar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,605 SAR 6,021
$1,877 SAR 7,043
-14.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.62
5.88
-4.42%

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

Last update for Jubail: October 26, 2026

Last update for Al Khobar: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Jubail
$295
Al Khobar
$583 98.1% $289
Groceries & Markets
Jubail
$199
Al Khobar
$220 10.4% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jubail
$174
Al Khobar
$202 16.2% $28
Eating Out
Jubail
$135
Al Khobar
$137 1.5% $2
Sport & Entertainment
Jubail
$131
Al Khobar
$112 14.8% $19
Clothing & Footwear
Jubail
$121
Al Khobar
$152 26% $31
Getting Around
Jubail
$46
Al Khobar
$82 77.5% $36

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $424 in Jubail and $766 in Al Khobar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Al Khobar pays 17% 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: $39 in Jubail vs $60 in Al Khobar for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $199 vs $220 per month, with Jubail cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Jubail
🇸🇦 Al Khobar
🕒 Local time
04:54 4:54 AM
04:54 4:54 AM
Same time as Jubail
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
337,778
219,679
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SAR – Saudi Riyal Converter

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.267 USD). 1 EUR = 4.18 SAR (1 SAR = 0.239 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Jubail Al Khobar 94 km
From you
  • Jubail
  • Al Khobar

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Jubail vs Al Khobar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jubail or Al Khobar?
Jubail wins on cost – living expenses run 26% lower than in Al Khobar. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Jubail the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Jubail or in Al Khobar?
On paper, salaries run 15% lower in Jubail. 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 Jubail compared to Al Khobar?
Rent for a central apartment: $424 in Jubail versus $766 in Al Khobar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Jubail compared to Al Khobar?
A monthly transit pass in Jubail runs roughly 61% less than in Al Khobar. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Jubail and in Al Khobar?
Childcare runs $178 in Jubail versus $607 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 Jubail or in Al Khobar?
Both cities are expensive relative to $1,000. Jubail is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city is better for families?
For families, Jubail is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Al Khobar, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
How safe is Jubail compared to Al Khobar?
Safety-wise, Jubail and Al Khobar are both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Jubail gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Al Khobar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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