🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,000 in Yanbu versus $1,207 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,512 in Yanbu versus $1,891 in Ad Dammam.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,023 in Yanbu versus $2,575 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: Yanbu26% lower, Ad Dammam10% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59SAR 24.73
$7.49SAR 28.11
-12.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.96SAR 142
$54.1SAR 203
-29.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.49SAR 24.34
$7.78SAR 29.21
-16.58%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01SAR 7.56
$1.91SAR 7.16
5.24%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59SAR 5.95
$1.82SAR 6.82
-12.64%
Cappuccino
$3.74SAR 14.05
$3.60SAR 13.51
3.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70SAR 2.62
$0.89SAR 3.34
-21.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23SAR 0.86
$0.35SAR 1.31
-34.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72SAR 6.44
$1.66SAR 6.24
3.61%
White Bread(500g)
$0.87SAR 3.28
$1.45SAR 5.45
-40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.20SAR 8.24
$2.00SAR 7.52
10.00%
Eggs
$2.64SAR 9.90
$2.24SAR 8.41
17.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.85SAR 21.96
$6.01SAR 22.56
-2.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.92SAR 29.72
$7.22SAR 27.11
9.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.20SAR 45.78
$9.97SAR 37.41
22.37%
Apples(1kg)
$2.16SAR 8.11
$2.17SAR 8.16
-0.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56SAR 5.87
$1.50SAR 5.61
4.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46SAR 5.46
$1.41SAR 5.28
3.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54SAR 5.80
$1.60SAR 6.01
-3.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26SAR 4.71
$1.22SAR 4.59
3.28%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97SAR 3.62
$1.39SAR 5.22
-30.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.10SAR 4.12
$1.36SAR 5.10
-19.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55SAR 2.08
$0.59SAR 2.22
-6.78%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.30SAR 4.87
$4.19SAR 15.71
-68.97%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32SAR 4.94
$1.62SAR 6.08
-18.52%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76SAR 6.61
$2.00SAR 7.49
-12.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.24SAR 23.41
$7.84SAR 29.43
-20.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.08SAR 4.05
$0.95SAR 3.56
13.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.86SAR 127
$40.76SAR 153
-16.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26SAR 12.23
$3.36SAR 12.60
-2.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.78SAR 2.92
$2.71SAR 10.18
-71.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.35SAR 57.6
$13.53SAR 50.8
13.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57SAR 2.14
$0.61SAR 2.28
-6.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9KSAR 97.2K
$22.9KSAR 85.8K
13.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9KSAR 82.0K
$20.7KSAR 77.6K
5.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SAR 398
$117SAR 440
-9.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.79SAR 85.5
$38.94SAR 146
-41.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.7SAR 258
$62.3SAR 234
10.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.5SAR 366
$69.0SAR 259
41.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.04SAR 132
$30.82SAR 116
13.69%
Cinema Ticket
$13.12SAR 49.23
$15.05SAR 56.5
-12.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315SAR 1,181
$414SAR 1,552
-23.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,765SAR 14.1K
$8,178SAR 30.7K
-53.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.07SAR 86.6
$69.0SAR 259
-66.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.91SAR 78.5
$67.6SAR 254
-69.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.3SAR 249
$90.7SAR 340
-26.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$48.58SAR 182
$85.9SAR 322
-43.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$316SAR 1,185
$445SAR 1,669
-29.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244SAR 914
$385SAR 1,446
-36.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$606SAR 2,274
$800SAR 3,002
-24.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$410SAR 1,539
$635SAR 2,382
-35.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,331SAR 4,995
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$804SAR 3,019
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Yanbu
Ad Dammam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,532SAR 13.3K
$1,884SAR 7,071
87.44%
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: June 9, 2026
Last update for Ad Dammam: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $316 in Yanbu and $445 in Ad Dammam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Yanbu pays 87% 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 $185, 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 21% 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 Ad Dammam?
Yanbu pays 87% 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 Yanbu vs Ad Dammam?
Rent for a central apartment: $316 in Yanbu versus $445 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 $1,000 per month in Yanbu versus $1,207 in Ad Dammam – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Yanbu vs Ad Dammam?
A monthly transit pass in Yanbu runs roughly 20% 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 Ad Dammam?
At $1,000 in Yanbu versus $1,207 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 21% less than in Ad Dammam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.