Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Qatif and Jeddah

For one person, living is cheaper in Qatif: $1,102 a month against $1,395 in Jeddah, rent and utilities included – about $3,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Qatif, Saudi Arabia
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Qatif
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,102
/mo nomad
Jeddah
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,395
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Qatif and in Jeddah

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

A single person spends $1,102 per month in Qatif vs $1,395 in Jeddah, rent included.

  • Qatif $1,102
  • Jeddah $1,395

A couple spends around $1,640 per month in Qatif vs $2,167 in Jeddah, rent included.

  • Qatif $1,640
  • Jeddah $2,167

A family of three spends $2,178 per month in Qatif vs $2,940 in Jeddah, rent included.

  • Qatif $2,178
  • Jeddah $2,940

Qatif is about 21% cheaper than Jeddah, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Qatif sits 19% below the global median, while Jeddah is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.50 SAR 13.15
$6.16 SAR 23.10
-43.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.91 SAR 131
$79.6 SAR 299
-56.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.52 SAR 24.48
$9.60 SAR 36.03
-32.08%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.88 SAR 7.04
$2.33 SAR 8.74
-19.31%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 SAR 8.39
$2.66 SAR 9.96
-15.79%
Cappuccino
$3.10 SAR 11.62
$3.78 SAR 14.18
-17.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 SAR 2.89
$1.07 SAR 4.01
-28.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19 SAR 0.72
$0.26 SAR 0.98
-26.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 SAR 6.68
$1.75 SAR 6.57
1.71%
White Bread (500g)
$0.91 SAR 3.42
$1.33 SAR 4.99
-31.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 SAR 7.20
$2.26 SAR 8.47
-15.04%
Eggs
$2.10 SAR 7.89
$2.48 SAR 9.32
-15.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.90 SAR 22.14
$6.52 SAR 24.47
-9.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.90 SAR 29.64
$8.02 SAR 30.09
-1.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.64 SAR 47.44
$12.98 SAR 48.70
-2.62%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 SAR 8.58
$2.10 SAR 7.88
9.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 SAR 6.41
$1.67 SAR 6.27
2.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.59 SAR 5.95
$1.55 SAR 5.80
2.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.67 SAR 2.52
$1.67 SAR 6.28
-59.88%
Potato (1kg)
$1.08 SAR 4.05
$1.17 SAR 4.37
-7.69%
Onion (1kg)
$1.13 SAR 4.26
$1.27 SAR 4.75
-11.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.95 SAR 3.58
$1.11 SAR 4.17
-14.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 SAR 2.07
$0.54 SAR 2.04
1.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.60 SAR 9.77
$4.24 SAR 15.90
-38.68%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 SAR 5.64
$1.83 SAR 6.86
-18.03%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 SAR 8.31
$2.52 SAR 9.45
-12.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.26 SAR 23.48
$6.59 SAR 24.72
-5.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.09 SAR 4.09
$0.89 SAR 3.34
22.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$36.50 SAR 137
$55.1 SAR 207
-33.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.46 SAR 9.22
$3.14 SAR 11.79
-21.66%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.55 SAR 2.07
$1.76 SAR 6.62
-68.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.24 SAR 49.70
$13.78 SAR 51.7
-3.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 SAR 2.29
$0.64 SAR 2.40
-4.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K SAR 109.1K
$38.9K SAR 145.9K
-25.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K SAR 76.3K
$21.7K SAR 81.3K
-6.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 SAR 388
$91.3 SAR 342
13.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.15 SAR 121
$38.64 SAR 145
-16.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.3 SAR 222
$67.0 SAR 251
-11.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79.4 SAR 298
$69.7 SAR 261
13.98%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.38 SAR 80.2
$38.79 SAR 146
-44.88%
Cinema Ticket
$13.07 SAR 49.03
$11.88 SAR 44.58
10.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 SAR 992
$786 SAR 2,951
-66.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,860 SAR 29.5K
$16.6K SAR 62.3K
-52.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.16 SAR 121
$74.5 SAR 280
-56.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.10 SAR 79.2
$56.0 SAR 210
-62.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.5 SAR 358
$101 SAR 378
-5.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.7 SAR 340
$95.7 SAR 359
-5.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$586 SAR 2,199
$812 SAR 3,048
-27.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$374 SAR 1,402
$558 SAR 2,093
-33.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$807 SAR 3,029
$1,315 SAR 4,934
-38.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$578 SAR 2,171
$863 SAR 3,237
-32.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$943 SAR 3,537
$1,688 SAR 6,335
-44.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$796 SAR 2,987
$1,091 SAR 4,094
-27.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Qatif
Jeddah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,257 SAR 8,471
$1,691 SAR 6,346
33.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.5
5.39
2.04%

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

Last update for Qatif: October 27, 2026

Last update for Jeddah: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Qatif
$374
Jeddah
$558 49.3% $184
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Qatif
$195
Jeddah
$197 1% $1.9
Groceries & Markets
Qatif
$185
Jeddah
$200 8.1% $15
Clothing & Footwear
Qatif
$108
Jeddah
$147 36.5% $39
Sport & Entertainment
Qatif
$106
Jeddah
$93 11.5% $12
Eating Out
Qatif
$89
Jeddah
$129 45.3% $40
Getting Around
Qatif
$46
Jeddah
$71 53.2% $25

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $586 in Qatif versus $812 in Jeddah. 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 33% higher in Qatif, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35 in Qatif versus $80 in Jeddah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $185 vs $200 – making Qatif the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇸🇦 Qatif
🇸🇦 Jeddah
🕒 Local time
00:14 12:14 AM
00:14 12:14 AM
Same time as Qatif
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
87,332
3,430,697
💱 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 November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.19 SAR (1 SAR = 0.239 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Qatif Jeddah 1,230 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Qatif
  • Jeddah

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
Qatif vs Jeddah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Qatif and in Jeddah compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,102 in Qatif, $1,395 in Jeddah – Qatif comes out roughly 21% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Qatif compared to Jeddah?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,653 per month in Qatif and $2,092 in Jeddah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Qatif and Jeddah?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Qatif, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $586 there versus $812 in Jeddah.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $35 in Qatif and $80 in Jeddah. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Qatif or Jeddah?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,102 in Qatif and $1,395 in Jeddah. That makes Qatif about 21% cheaper.
How far does $2,000 go in Qatif compared to Jeddah?
$2,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,102 in Qatif and $1,395 in Jeddah, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Where should families live: Qatif or Jeddah?
Families tend to lean toward Qatif – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Qatif or Jeddah safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Where should expats move: Qatif or Jeddah?
For expats, Qatif is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 21% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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