Last update: Oct 2026 Saudi Arabia 903.3K

Cost of Living in Dammam

For one person, living costs in Dammam are estimated at $1,226 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

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Dammam

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dammam

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dammam actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,226 monthly including rent, or $736 excluding housing.

$1,226 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,857 with rent, or $1,246 without housing.

$1,857 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,488 including rent, or $1,756 for daily expenses alone.

$2,488 /mo

Dammam sits about 12% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are 16% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.49 SAR 24.35

$3.90 SAR 14.63

$14.29 SAR 53.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.23 SAR 147

$27.46 SAR 103

$78.5 SAR 294

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.78 SAR 29.21

$6.88 SAR 25.81

$9.09 SAR 34.11

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.83 SAR 6.87

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$4.07 SAR 15.26

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 SAR 6.68

$1.32 SAR 4.93

$3.29 SAR 12.36

Cappuccino

$3.71 SAR 13.94

$2.10 SAR 7.88

$5.75 SAR 21.59

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

$0.81 SAR 3.02

$0.69 SAR 2.60

$1.24 SAR 4.65

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$0.19 SAR 0.72

$0.51 SAR 1.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 SAR 6.45

$1.37 SAR 5.14

$2.47 SAR 9.27

White Bread (500g)

$1.04 SAR 3.91

$0.27 SAR 1.03

$1.76 SAR 6.61

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.32 SAR 8.71

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$2.67 SAR 10.03

Eggs

$2.54 SAR 9.52

$1.61 SAR 6.04

$4.70 SAR 17.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.79 SAR 25.48

$3.95 SAR 14.84

$13.17 SAR 49.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.34 SAR 27.55

$4.18 SAR 15.67

$11.76 SAR 44.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.93 SAR 48.52

$8.36 SAR 31.37

$15.92 SAR 59.7

Apples (1kg)

$2.36 SAR 8.85

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$2.70 SAR 10.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.60 SAR 6.01

$1.29 SAR 4.84

$2.58 SAR 9.68

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 SAR 6.10

$1.08 SAR 4.04

$2.70 SAR 10.14

Tomato (1kg)

$1.63 SAR 6.11

$0.96 SAR 3.61

$2.45 SAR 9.19

Potato (1kg)

$1.25 SAR 4.67

$0.79 SAR 2.97

$1.98 SAR 7.42

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.08 SAR 7.80

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.44 SAR 9.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 SAR 2.22

$0.47 SAR 1.75

$1.04 SAR 3.90

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.84 SAR 10.65

$1.72 SAR 6.46

$6.47 SAR 24.27

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 SAR 6.51

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$2.38 SAR 8.95

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 SAR 7.62

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$3.17 SAR 11.90

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.26 SAR 27.23

$6.45 SAR 24.20

$9.27 SAR 34.79

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 SAR 3.90

$0.92 SAR 3.46

$1.29 SAR 4.85

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.52 SAR 152

$16.21 SAR 60.8

$54.0 SAR 203

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.62 SAR 9.83

$1.52 SAR 5.69

$5.25 SAR 19.71

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 SAR 7.10

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$4.04 SAR 15.18

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.55 SAR 50.8

$8.13 SAR 30.49

$27.10 SAR 102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.65 SAR 2.42

$0.60 SAR 2.27

$0.65 SAR 2.42

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

$27.1K SAR 101.8K

$21.7K SAR 81.5K

$40.7K SAR 152.7K

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

$23.4K SAR 87.7K

$21.5K SAR 80.7K

$26.2K SAR 98.4K

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

$105 SAR 395

$66.9 SAR 251

$187 SAR 703

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

$33.70 SAR 126

$21.30 SAR 79.9

$44.58 SAR 167

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.2 SAR 271

$56.9 SAR 213

$83.5 SAR 313

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$94.5 SAR 354

$34.42 SAR 129

$183 SAR 686

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$36.96 SAR 139

$6.66 SAR 24.98

$36.96 SAR 139

Cinema Ticket

$14.61 SAR 54.8

$12.01 SAR 45.05

$21.08 SAR 79.1

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

$346 SAR 1,299

$189 SAR 711

$523 SAR 1,961

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,665 SAR 28.8K

$4,740 SAR 17.8K

$12.9K SAR 48.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.1 SAR 210

$15.50 SAR 58.2

$128 SAR 480

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.8 SAR 236

$39.52 SAR 148

$92.2 SAR 346

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.0 SAR 315

$53.4 SAR 200

$127 SAR 476

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.3 SAR 305

$50.1 SAR 188

$132 SAR 496

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$440 SAR 1,652

$295 SAR 1,109

$806 SAR 3,023

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$384 SAR 1,441

$229 SAR 859

$771 SAR 2,895

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$889 SAR 3,337

$555 SAR 2,082

$1,614 SAR 6,056

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$627 SAR 2,352

$412 SAR 1,545

$1,262 SAR 4,735

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,788 SAR 6,708

$1,183 SAR 4,439

$2,719 SAR 10.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,073 SAR 4,025

$607 SAR 2,277

$1,412 SAR 5,299

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: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Dammam $1,226

Accommodation & Living

$384 31.4%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$211 17.2%

Groceries & Markets

$198 16.1%

Clothing & Footwear

$128 10.4%

Eating Out

$124 10.1%

Sport & Entertainment

$124 10.1%

Getting Around

$57 4.6%

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $198 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39 for two – broadly in line with the Asian average.

Public transport is priced at around $41 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $33.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

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

Good to know

🕒 Local time

22:50 10:50 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

903,312

💱 Currency

Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س

📈 Exchange rate

1 SAR = 0.266 USD

1 SAR = 0.239 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Dammam

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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 $1,226 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 $1,226 including rent, or roughly $736 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,839 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 $440; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $384. Overall, the market runs from $384 to $440 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A monthly transit pass in Dammam goes for roughly $41, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget for anyone commuting without a car.

Childcare averages $346 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.

$1,500 stretches far in Dammam – all-in monthly costs average only $1,226. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Dammam offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, remote work facilities, and at around $1,226 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 $1,226, so putting money aside takes more than $1,839 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 $1,226 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.