Cost of Living in Dammam - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,233 monthly including rent, or $742 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,851 with rent, or $1,265 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,468 including rent, or $1,788 for daily expenses alone.

Dammam sits 8–13% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 18% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.69 SAR 25.11

$4.02 SAR 15.08

$14.72 SAR 55.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.71 SAR 149

$27.80 SAR 104

$79.4 SAR 298

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.93 SAR 29.75

$7.00 SAR 26.29

$9.25 SAR 34.74

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 SAR 6.62

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$3.92 SAR 14.70

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.76 SAR 6.60

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$3.25 SAR 12.21

Cappuccino

$3.76 SAR 14.12

$2.13 SAR 7.99

$5.83 SAR 21.88

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.81 SAR 3.06

$0.70 SAR 2.63

$1.25 SAR 4.70

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 SAR 1.05

$0.19 SAR 0.72

$0.51 SAR 1.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 SAR 6.10

$1.29 SAR 4.86

$2.33 SAR 8.76

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 SAR 3.79

$0.26 SAR 0.99

$1.70 SAR 6.40

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 SAR 8.52

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.61 SAR 9.82

Eggs

$2.55 SAR 9.57

$1.62 SAR 6.08

$4.73 SAR 17.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.93 SAR 26.03

$4.04 SAR 15.16

$13.44 SAR 50.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.44 SAR 27.92

$4.23 SAR 15.88

$11.90 SAR 44.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.11 SAR 49.21

$8.48 SAR 31.82

$16.14 SAR 60.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.34 SAR 8.80

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$2.69 SAR 10.09

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 SAR 6.36

$1.36 SAR 5.12

$2.73 SAR 10.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.14

$1.08 SAR 4.07

$2.72 SAR 10.20

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 SAR 5.89

$0.93 SAR 3.48

$2.36 SAR 8.86

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 SAR 4.64

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$1.96 SAR 7.36

Onion (1kg)

$1.37 SAR 5.14

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.16 SAR 8.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$0.54 SAR 2.01

$2.42 SAR 9.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 SAR 2.36

$0.49 SAR 1.86

$1.10 SAR 4.14

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.88 SAR 10.83

$1.75 SAR 6.57

$6.57 SAR 24.68

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 SAR 6.46

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$2.36 SAR 8.88

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 SAR 7.81

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$3.25 SAR 12.20

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.03 SAR 26.40

$6.25 SAR 23.46

$8.99 SAR 33.73

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.06 SAR 3.98

$0.94 SAR 3.53

$1.32 SAR 4.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.58 SAR 152

$16.23 SAR 60.9

$54.1 SAR 203

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.60 SAR 9.75

$1.50 SAR 5.64

$5.20 SAR 19.53

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.86 SAR 6.97

$0.79 SAR 2.98

$3.97 SAR 14.90

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.17 SAR 49.44

$7.90 SAR 29.66

$26.34 SAR 98.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 SAR 2.37

$0.59 SAR 2.22

$0.63 SAR 2.37

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.8K SAR 100.6K

$21.4K SAR 80.5K

$40.2K SAR 150.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.4K SAR 87.9K

$21.6K SAR 80.9K

$26.3K SAR 98.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$103 SAR 386

$65.3 SAR 245

$183 SAR 687

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$34.12 SAR 128

$21.56 SAR 80.9

$45.14 SAR 169

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.3 SAR 268

$56.2 SAR 211

$82.4 SAR 309

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$95.3 SAR 358

$34.74 SAR 130

$184 SAR 692

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$35.74 SAR 134

$26.71 SAR 100

$40.08 SAR 150

Cinema Ticket

$14.63 SAR 54.9

$12.02 SAR 45.13

$21.11 SAR 79.2

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$347 SAR 1,304

$190 SAR 713

$524 SAR 1,968

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,443 SAR 27.9K

$4,603 SAR 17.3K

$12.5K SAR 46.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.8 SAR 206

$15.15 SAR 56.9

$125 SAR 469

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.0 SAR 240

$40.23 SAR 151

$93.9 SAR 352

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.8 SAR 314

$53.3 SAR 200

$126 SAR 475

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.8 SAR 303

$49.84 SAR 187

$132 SAR 494

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$445 SAR 1,670

$299 SAR 1,121

$814 SAR 3,057

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$380 SAR 1,428

$227 SAR 851

$764 SAR 2,867

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$881 SAR 3,305

$549 SAR 2,062

$1,598 SAR 5,998

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$617 SAR 2,314

$405 SAR 1,520

$1,241 SAR 4,659

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,773 SAR 6,657

$1,173 SAR 4,405

$2,697 SAR 10.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,092 SAR 4,100

$618 SAR 2,319

$1,438 SAR 5,397

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.42

3.25

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

Last update: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $199 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $40.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $40.58 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia

Internet is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia

Dammam Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia 🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Dammam - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger Gulf capitals, Dammam offers a comfortable balance of city services and daily costs. You'll find modern conveniences, reliable utilities, and accessible healthcare without the premium price tag on rent in core areas. For many visitors and shorter stays, meals, groceries, and transport feel reasonable, especially if you choose local eateries and plan in advance. Cost of Living in Dammam is shaped by neighborhood choices, climate considerations, and seasonal demand, so you'll often gain value by renting a compact apartment a short ride from the coast or city center. Tip: map a couple of neighborhoods you like to compare weekly.

To search housing, start with rental portals and local agents; aim for a long-term lease if you want better rates. Look for apartments with water and AC included, and choose proximity to the Corniche or business districts to cut commute time. Dining options range from affordable local eateries to international cafes; groceries are widely available with both local and imported goods. Transport leans toward car use, rideshares, and taxis; some neighborhoods are walkable, but heat makes you plan trips. For work, co-working spaces and cafes with reliable Wi-Fi can support remote work. Dammam living cost varies by location and lifestyle. Tip: Start with a short-term stay as a test before locking in a longer lease.

Quality of life in Dammam can feel balanced if you set a practical budget and a flexible routine. Build a simple monthly framework: needs (rent, utilities, groceries) versus wants (occasional dining out, weekend trips), and keep a small buffer for seasonal changes. Save by negotiating leases, using shared spaces, and shopping at local markets for fresh produce. Seasonality matters: summers demand shaded routes and planning indoor activities, while milder winters invite outdoor strolls along the coast. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: the Corniche corridors suit active, expatriate-friendly living, while quieter residential streets work well for long stays. Tip: scout several areas at different times of day to feel seasonal rhythms.

At around $1,233 monthly all-in, Dammam offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Dammam come to around $1,233 including rent, or roughly $742 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,849 monthly in Dammam means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Where you live in Dammam makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $445; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $380. Overall, the market runs from $380 to $445 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A monthly transit pass in Dammam goes for roughly $40.58, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.

Childcare averages $347 monthly at a private kindergarten in Dammam. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.

Living on $1,500 in Dammam means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,233. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Dammam offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, remote work facilities, and at around $1,233 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

Monthly expenses in Dammam run around $1,233, so putting money aside takes more than $1,849 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Dammam works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,233 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.