Cost of Living in Dammam - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,227 monthly including rent, or $734 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,878 with rent, or $1,247 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,530 including rent, or $1,760 for daily expenses alone.

Dammam sits 11–14% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are slightly above average (13%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.59 SAR 24.74

$3.96 SAR 14.86

$14.50 SAR 54.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.22 SAR 147

$27.45 SAR 103

$78.4 SAR 295

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.95 SAR 29.87

$7.03 SAR 26.39

$9.29 SAR 34.88

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.82 SAR 6.82

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$4.04 SAR 15.17

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.79 SAR 6.71

$1.32 SAR 4.96

$3.31 SAR 12.41

Cappuccino

$3.56 SAR 13.36

$2.01 SAR 7.55

$5.51 SAR 20.69

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

$0.80 SAR 3.00

$0.69 SAR 2.58

$1.23 SAR 4.62

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$0.19 SAR 0.72

$0.51 SAR 1.90

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.36 SAR 8.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.05 SAR 3.95

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$1.78 SAR 6.68

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.34 SAR 8.79

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$2.69 SAR 10.12

Eggs

$2.46 SAR 9.23

$1.56 SAR 5.86

$4.56 SAR 17.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.75 SAR 25.33

$3.93 SAR 14.75

$13.08 SAR 49.12

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.30 SAR 27.41

$4.15 SAR 15.59

$11.68 SAR 43.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.01 SAR 48.85

$8.41 SAR 31.59

$16.01 SAR 60.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.39 SAR 8.97

$1.37 SAR 5.14

$2.74 SAR 10.29

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$1.32 SAR 4.96

$2.64 SAR 9.93

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$2.73 SAR 10.24

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 SAR 5.92

$0.93 SAR 3.50

$2.37 SAR 8.90

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 SAR 4.63

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$1.96 SAR 7.35

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 SAR 5.21

$0.82 SAR 3.09

$2.19 SAR 8.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$2.34 SAR 8.78

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 SAR 2.23

$0.47 SAR 1.76

$1.04 SAR 3.91

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.94 SAR 11.04

$1.78 SAR 6.69

$6.70 SAR 25.16

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 SAR 6.57

$1.32 SAR 4.96

$2.40 SAR 9.03

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 SAR 7.53

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$3.13 SAR 11.76

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.39 SAR 27.75

$6.57 SAR 24.67

$9.44 SAR 35.46

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 SAR 4.06

$0.96 SAR 3.60

$1.34 SAR 5.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.25 SAR 151

$16.10 SAR 60.5

$53.7 SAR 202

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 SAR 10.08

$1.55 SAR 5.83

$5.38 SAR 20.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.92 SAR 7.21

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$4.11 SAR 15.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.44 SAR 50.5

$8.06 SAR 30.27

$26.88 SAR 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 SAR 2.23

$0.56 SAR 2.09

$0.59 SAR 2.23

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

$26.1K SAR 98.1K

$20.9K SAR 78.5K

$39.2K SAR 147.2K

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

$23.5K SAR 88.3K

$21.6K SAR 81.3K

$26.4K SAR 99.1K

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

$106 SAR 397

$67.2 SAR 252

$188 SAR 707

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

$33.13 SAR 124

$20.94 SAR 78.6

$43.83 SAR 165

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.4 SAR 264

$55.4 SAR 208

$81.4 SAR 306

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$95.6 SAR 359

$34.82 SAR 131

$185 SAR 694

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.61 SAR 138

$6.60 SAR 24.77

$36.61 SAR 138

Cinema Ticket

$14.31 SAR 53.8

$11.76 SAR 44.17

$20.65 SAR 77.6

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

$349 SAR 1,310

$191 SAR 717

$527 SAR 1,977

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,538 SAR 28.3K

$4,661 SAR 17.5K

$12.7K SAR 47.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 SAR 211

$15.53 SAR 58.3

$128 SAR 481

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.5 SAR 242

$40.53 SAR 152

$94.6 SAR 355

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.1 SAR 319

$54.1 SAR 203

$128 SAR 482

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.0 SAR 308

$50.5 SAR 190

$133 SAR 501

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$438 SAR 1,646

$294 SAR 1,105

$802 SAR 3,013

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$384 SAR 1,441

$229 SAR 859

$771 SAR 2,895

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$884 SAR 3,321

$552 SAR 2,072

$1,605 SAR 6,027

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$633 SAR 2,379

$416 SAR 1,563

$1,275 SAR 4,789

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,731 SAR 6,502

$1,146 SAR 4,303

$2,634 SAR 9,891

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,102 SAR 4,139

$623 SAR 2,341

$1,451 SAR 5,449

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: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $197 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39.00 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $40.25 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

Internet is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

Gasoline is cheaper than 91% 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 $1,227 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 $1,227 including rent, or roughly $734 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,840 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 $438; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $384. Overall, the market runs from $384 to $438 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A monthly transit pass in Dammam goes for roughly $40.25, 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 $349 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 $1,227. 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 $1,227 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 $1,227, so putting money aside takes more than $1,840 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 $1,227 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.