🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $994 in Yanbu versus $1,196 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,525 in Yanbu versus $1,860 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,056 in Yanbu versus $2,524 in Ad Dammam.
🌍Living in Yanbu costs roughly 17% less than in Ad Dammam, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Yanbu25% lower, Ad Dammam10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.51SAR 24.44
$7.29SAR 27.37
-10.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.99SAR 143
$53.7SAR 202
-29.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.51SAR 24.46
$8.03SAR 30.16
-18.93%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.03SAR 7.64
$1.82SAR 6.83
11.54%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58SAR 5.94
$1.90SAR 7.14
-16.84%
Cappuccino
$3.59SAR 13.49
$3.73SAR 14.00
-3.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75SAR 2.83
$0.92SAR 3.44
-18.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23SAR 0.86
$0.35SAR 1.30
-34.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67SAR 6.28
$1.63SAR 6.13
2.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.87SAR 3.28
$1.46SAR 5.49
-40.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.24SAR 8.42
$2.09SAR 7.86
7.18%
Eggs
$2.72SAR 10.20
$2.27SAR 8.53
19.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.04SAR 22.68
$6.12SAR 22.97
-1.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.76SAR 29.14
$7.25SAR 27.23
7.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.21SAR 45.86
$9.70SAR 36.42
25.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.07SAR 7.77
$2.12SAR 7.95
-2.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64SAR 6.17
$1.49SAR 5.61
10.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.38SAR 5.19
$1.40SAR 5.24
-1.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54SAR 5.80
$1.59SAR 5.98
-3.14%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SAR 4.79
$1.28SAR 4.82
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.96SAR 3.59
$1.32SAR 4.97
-27.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09SAR 4.11
$1.36SAR 5.12
-19.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56SAR 2.09
$0.59SAR 2.21
-5.08%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.29SAR 4.85
$4.13SAR 15.50
-68.77%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31SAR 4.92
$1.56SAR 5.85
-16.03%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69SAR 6.36
$1.92SAR 7.22
-11.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.47SAR 24.30
$7.76SAR 29.13
-16.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05SAR 3.93
$0.95SAR 3.57
10.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.24SAR 125
$39.54SAR 148
-15.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.28SAR 12.31
$3.38SAR 12.70
-2.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.78SAR 2.94
$2.62SAR 9.86
-70.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.10SAR 56.7
$13.54SAR 50.8
11.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.62SAR 2.31
$0.60SAR 2.25
3.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KSAR 98.3K
$23.0KSAR 86.3K
13.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.6KSAR 81.0K
$21.1KSAR 79.1K
2.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105SAR 396
$115SAR 432
-8.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.77SAR 85.5
$38.60SAR 145
-41.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.1SAR 259
$63.5SAR 239
8.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$95.9SAR 360
$70.5SAR 265
35.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.52SAR 133
$31.26SAR 117
13.63%
Cinema Ticket
$13.30SAR 49.95
$15.06SAR 56.6
-11.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$323SAR 1,214
$415SAR 1,558
-22.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,791SAR 14.2K
$8,157SAR 30.6K
-53.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.81SAR 85.6
$68.6SAR 258
-66.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.00SAR 78.9
$66.7SAR 250
-68.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.3SAR 249
$92.6SAR 348
-28.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.66SAR 179
$85.7SAR 322
-44.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$314SAR 1,177
$447SAR 1,677
-29.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244SAR 915
$378SAR 1,421
-35.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585SAR 2,198
$805SAR 3,021
-27.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$412SAR 1,546
$626SAR 2,350
-34.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,353SAR 5,082
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$816SAR 3,063
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,487SAR 13.1K
$1,510SAR 5,669
130.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.3
4.33
-23.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Yanbu: July 26, 2026
Last update for Ad Dammam: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $314 in Yanbu and $447 in Ad Dammam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Yanbu pays 131% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Yanbu vs $54.0 in Ad Dammam. Groceries flip the comparison at $189 vs $184, 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
Yanbu vs Ad Dammam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Yanbu or Ad Dammam?
Yanbu wins on cost – living expenses run 20% lower than in Ad Dammam. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Yanbu the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Yanbu or in Ad Dammam?
Average pay runs 131% higher in Yanbu, 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 Yanbu compared to Ad Dammam?
Rent for a central apartment: $314 in Yanbu 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 Yanbu compared to Ad Dammam?
All in, you'll spend $994 per month in Yanbu versus $1,196 in Ad Dammam – a 20% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Yanbu compared to Ad Dammam?
A monthly transit pass in Yanbu runs roughly 19% 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 Yanbu or in Ad Dammam?
At $994 in Yanbu versus $1,196 in Ad Dammam, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Yanbu but tight or insufficient in Ad Dammam. The gap between the two cities makes Yanbu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Yanbu 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 Yanbu compared to Ad Dammam?
Safety-wise, Yanbu 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 Yanbu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.