🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,052 in Najran versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,666 in Najran versus $1,876 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,280 in Najran versus $2,526 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Living in Najran costs roughly 14% less than in Ad Dammam, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Najran21% lower, Ad Dammam8% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.95SAR 29.84
$7.39SAR 27.71
7.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.98SAR 86.2
$53.2SAR 200
-56.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.89SAR 33.35
$8.09SAR 30.36
9.89%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.62SAR 6.08
$1.83SAR 6.86
-11.48%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36SAR 5.11
$1.82SAR 6.84
-25.27%
Cappuccino
$4.44SAR 16.67
$3.54SAR 13.27
25.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80SAR 3.00
$0.86SAR 3.24
-6.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26SAR 0.96
$0.37SAR 1.39
-29.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.32SAR 8.70
$1.66SAR 6.23
39.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01SAR 3.80
$1.45SAR 5.43
-30.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.39SAR 8.97
$2.11SAR 7.92
13.27%
Eggs
$2.14SAR 8.03
$2.22SAR 8.33
-3.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.07SAR 26.51
$6.33SAR 23.76
11.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.81SAR 21.82
$7.48SAR 28.08
-22.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.43SAR 54.1
$10.18SAR 38.21
41.75%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75SAR 6.55
$2.20SAR 8.25
-20.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.97SAR 7.39
$1.49SAR 5.59
32.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.67SAR 6.26
$1.46SAR 5.48
14.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55SAR 5.83
$1.64SAR 6.17
-5.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23SAR 4.62
$1.23SAR 4.63
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.33SAR 4.98
$1.33SAR 4.98
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36SAR 5.09
$1.35SAR 5.05
0.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69SAR 2.58
$0.54SAR 2.03
27.78%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.86SAR 10.72
$4.08SAR 15.29
-29.90%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62SAR 6.09
$1.63SAR 6.10
-0.61%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09SAR 7.84
$2.00SAR 7.49
4.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.20SAR 30.76
$8.21SAR 30.79
-0.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.10SAR 4.13
$0.96SAR 3.59
14.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.67SAR 149
$40.01SAR 150
-0.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.59SAR 9.72
$3.28SAR 12.29
-21.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90SAR 7.13
$2.61SAR 9.79
-27.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.56SAR 50.9
$13.47SAR 50.6
0.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.58SAR 2.17
$0.64SAR 2.39
-9.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4KSAR 99.2K
$22.8KSAR 85.6K
15.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6KSAR 84.6K
$20.7KSAR 77.5K
9.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SAR 397
$118SAR 441
-10.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.24SAR 125
$38.53SAR 145
-13.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.7SAR 269
$63.0SAR 237
13.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$86.5SAR 325
$71.0SAR 266
21.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.06SAR 132
$31.70SAR 119
10.60%
Cinema Ticket
$15.45SAR 58.0
$15.55SAR 58.4
-0.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$348SAR 1,305
$414SAR 1,554
-16.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,849SAR 25.7K
$8,136SAR 30.5K
-15.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.0SAR 221
$69.1SAR 259
-14.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.0SAR 225
$66.4SAR 249
-9.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8SAR 296
$91.6SAR 344
-13.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.7SAR 307
$84.1SAR 316
-2.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$345SAR 1,294
$447SAR 1,679
-22.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$198SAR 742
$371SAR 1,393
-46.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$594SAR 2,231
$779SAR 2,924
-23.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$430SAR 1,612
$626SAR 2,348
-31.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,324SAR 8,720
$1,309SAR 4,913
77.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,357SAR 5,093
$798SAR 2,993
70.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Najran
Ad Dammam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,757SAR 6,592
$1,882SAR 7,062
-6.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.42
4.33
2.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Najran: June 13, 2026
Last update for Ad Dammam: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $345 in Najran and $447 in Ad Dammam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ad Dammam pays 7% 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: $23.00 in Najran vs $53.0 in Ad Dammam. Groceries flip the comparison at $200 vs $188, with Ad Dammam 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
Najran vs Ad Dammam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Najran or Ad Dammam?
Najran wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Najran the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Najran or Ad Dammam?
On paper, Ad Dammam earns 7% 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 Najran vs Ad Dammam?
Rent for a central apartment: $345 in Najran versus $447 in Ad Dammam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Najran compared to Ad Dammam?
All in, you'll spend $1,052 per month in Najran versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Najran vs Ad Dammam?
A monthly transit pass in Najran runs roughly 1% less than in Ad Dammam. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Najran or Ad Dammam?
At $1,052 in Najran versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Najran but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Najran the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Najran or Ad Dammam?
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 Najran compared to Ad Dammam?
Safety-wise, Najran and Ad Dammam 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 Najran gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.