🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,208 in Umluj versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,829 in Umluj versus $1,876 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,449 in Umluj versus $2,526 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Living in Umluj costs roughly 1% less than in Ad Dammam, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Umluj9% lower, Ad Dammam8% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.58SAR 24.70
$7.39SAR 27.71
-10.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.13SAR 169
$53.2SAR 200
-15.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.12SAR 30.48
$8.09SAR 30.36
0.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76SAR 6.60
$1.83SAR 6.86
-3.83%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83SAR 6.87
$1.82SAR 6.84
0.55%
Cappuccino
$3.58SAR 13.42
$3.54SAR 13.27
1.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SAR 2.98
$0.86SAR 3.24
-8.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31SAR 1.18
$0.37SAR 1.39
-16.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64SAR 6.15
$1.66SAR 6.23
-1.20%
White Bread(500g)
$0.98SAR 3.68
$1.45SAR 5.43
-32.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.39SAR 8.98
$2.11SAR 7.92
13.27%
Eggs
$2.52SAR 9.44
$2.22SAR 8.33
13.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.95SAR 26.09
$6.33SAR 23.76
9.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.37SAR 27.64
$7.48SAR 28.08
-1.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.15SAR 49.36
$10.18SAR 38.21
29.17%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28SAR 8.56
$2.20SAR 8.25
3.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.66SAR 6.21
$1.49SAR 5.59
11.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75SAR 6.58
$1.46SAR 5.48
19.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55SAR 5.83
$1.64SAR 6.17
-5.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27SAR 4.78
$1.23SAR 4.63
3.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32SAR 4.94
$1.33SAR 4.98
-0.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17SAR 4.41
$1.35SAR 5.05
-13.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55SAR 2.05
$0.54SAR 2.03
1.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.68SAR 10.06
$4.08SAR 15.29
-34.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71SAR 6.41
$1.63SAR 6.10
4.91%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10SAR 7.89
$2.00SAR 7.49
5.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.18SAR 26.96
$8.21SAR 30.79
-12.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.08SAR 4.07
$0.96SAR 3.59
12.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.13SAR 151
$40.01SAR 150
0.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.60SAR 9.77
$3.28SAR 12.29
-20.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90SAR 7.15
$2.61SAR 9.79
-27.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.17SAR 49.44
$13.47SAR 50.6
-2.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.63SAR 2.37
$0.64SAR 2.39
-1.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2KSAR 101.9K
$22.8KSAR 85.6K
19.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KSAR 83.4K
$20.7KSAR 77.5K
7.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SAR 399
$118SAR 441
-9.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.23SAR 128
$38.53SAR 145
-11.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9SAR 274
$63.0SAR 237
15.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$86.8SAR 326
$71.0SAR 266
22.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.20SAR 132
$31.70SAR 119
11.04%
Cinema Ticket
$15.41SAR 57.8
$15.55SAR 58.4
-0.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$356SAR 1,334
$414SAR 1,554
-14.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,995SAR 26.2K
$8,136SAR 30.5K
-14.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6SAR 223
$69.1SAR 259
-13.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.7SAR 224
$66.4SAR 249
-10.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.1SAR 293
$91.6SAR 344
-14.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.3SAR 309
$84.1SAR 316
-2.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$440SAR 1,652
$447SAR 1,679
-1.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$380SAR 1,426
$371SAR 1,393
2.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$840SAR 3,151
$779SAR 2,924
7.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$616SAR 2,312
$626SAR 2,348
-1.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,338SAR 8,775
$1,309SAR 4,913
78.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,315SAR 4,934
$798SAR 2,993
64.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Umluj
Ad Dammam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,252SAR 16.0K
$1,882SAR 7,062
125.97%
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 Umluj: June 16, 2026
Last update for Ad Dammam: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $440 in Umluj and $447 in Ad Dammam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Umluj pays 126% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $45.00 in Umluj vs $53.0 in Ad Dammam. Groceries flip the comparison at $197 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
Umluj vs Ad Dammam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Umluj or Ad Dammam?
Umluj wins on cost – living expenses run 2% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Umluj the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Umluj or Ad Dammam?
Umluj pays 126% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Umluj vs Ad Dammam?
Rent for a central apartment: $440 in Umluj 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 Umluj compared to Ad Dammam?
All in, you'll spend $1,208 per month in Umluj versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Umluj vs Ad Dammam?
A monthly transit pass in Umluj runs roughly 0% 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 $2,000/month in Umluj or Ad Dammam?
At $1,208 in Umluj versus $1,227 in Ad Dammam, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Umluj but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Umluj the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Umluj 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 Umluj compared to Ad Dammam?
Safety-wise, Umluj 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 Umluj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.