Cost of Living in Mecca - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Mecca
Address: Mecca, SA

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,065 monthly including rent, or $687 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,917 with rent, or $1,144 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,769 including rent, or $1,602 for daily expenses alone.

Mecca sits 2–21% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are slightly above average (2%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.89 SAR 18.34

$4.07 SAR 15.29

$6.78 SAR 25.45

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.53 SAR 148

$28.99 SAR 109

$79.1 SAR 297

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.39 SAR 35.23

$7.51 SAR 28.17

$9.65 SAR 36.21

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.62 SAR 6.08

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$2.69 SAR 10.11

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 SAR 6.00

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$2.71 SAR 10.17

Cappuccino

$3.16 SAR 11.87

$2.09 SAR 7.83

$5.22 SAR 19.59

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

$0.87 SAR 3.25

$0.65 SAR 2.45

$1.30 SAR 4.86

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 SAR 1.07

$0.12 SAR 0.46

$0.76 SAR 2.86

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$1.55 SAR 5.83

$1.82 SAR 6.82

White Bread (500g)

$0.89 SAR 3.34

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$1.36 SAR 5.11

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 SAR 8.41

$1.09 SAR 4.09

$2.71 SAR 10.17

Eggs

$2.98 SAR 11.19

$1.93 SAR 7.26

$4.56 SAR 17.13

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.04 SAR 26.43

$4.30 SAR 16.13

$13.44 SAR 50.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.39 SAR 31.48

$5.87 SAR 22.04

$17.62 SAR 66.1

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.38 SAR 50.2

$10.71 SAR 40.18

$14.71 SAR 55.2

Apples (1kg)

$2.31 SAR 8.69

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$2.62 SAR 9.83

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 SAR 6.06

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$1.91 SAR 7.17

Oranges (1kg)

$1.77 SAR 6.65

$0.78 SAR 2.92

$2.07 SAR 7.78

Tomato (1kg)

$2.04 SAR 7.66

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$2.60 SAR 9.75

Potato (1kg)

$1.26 SAR 4.73

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$1.64 SAR 6.15

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 SAR 4.67

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.15 SAR 8.08

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 SAR 3.96

$0.27 SAR 1.00

$1.58 SAR 5.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 SAR 2.56

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$1.09 SAR 4.08

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.04 SAR 15.18

$1.82 SAR 6.82

$7.77 SAR 29.15

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 SAR 7.52

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$2.19 SAR 8.21

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 SAR 7.76

$1.55 SAR 5.83

$2.58 SAR 9.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.01 SAR 30.06

$7.60 SAR 28.53

$9.51 SAR 35.68

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$0.94 SAR 3.52

$1.31 SAR 4.92

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.59 SAR 152

$16.24 SAR 60.9

$54.1 SAR 203

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 SAR 9.14

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$5.41 SAR 20.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 SAR 6.89

$0.78 SAR 2.95

$2.62 SAR 9.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.59 SAR 39.74

$7.94 SAR 29.79

$13.23 SAR 49.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.26

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

$26.8K SAR 100.4K

$21.4K SAR 80.3K

$40.1K SAR 150.6K

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

$21.4K SAR 80.5K

$20.8K SAR 78.2K

$25.5K SAR 95.6K

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

$77.7 SAR 291

$67.5 SAR 253

$176 SAR 659

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

$35.25 SAR 132

$27.04 SAR 101

$37.32 SAR 140

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.8 SAR 247

$55.0 SAR 206

$91.6 SAR 344

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$87.6 SAR 329

$54.2 SAR 204

$271 SAR 1,018

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$34.97 SAR 131

$26.89 SAR 101

$43.04 SAR 162

Cinema Ticket

$18.59 SAR 69.8

$15.14 SAR 56.8

$26.55 SAR 99.7

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

$404 SAR 1,517

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,604 SAR 17.3K

$4,473 SAR 16.8K

$4,736 SAR 17.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$22.51 SAR 84.5

$13.24 SAR 49.68

$31.77 SAR 119

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.5 SAR 235

$45.22 SAR 170

$79.8 SAR 300

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$58.8 SAR 221

$39.52 SAR 148

$79.0 SAR 297

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$51.1 SAR 192

$48.43 SAR 182

$53.8 SAR 202

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$231 SAR 867

$161 SAR 605

$430 SAR 1,614

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 SAR 1,058

$155 SAR 581

$1,624 SAR 6,096

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$669 SAR 2,509

$340 SAR 1,275

$3,228 SAR 12.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,026 SAR 3,851

$235 SAR 884

$2,692 SAR 10.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,512 SAR 24.4K

$5,016 SAR 18.8K

$7,011 SAR 26.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,238 SAR 8,399

$662 SAR 2,485

$3,008 SAR 11.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,075 SAR 4,034

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.5

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $231 for a central one-bedroom, or $282 outside the center. At 22% of the average salary ($1,075), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,075, while typical expenses reach $1,065. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,598.

Expect to spend about $207 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 $40.59 per month – above the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Internet is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Fast food meal is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

Mecca 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:

🕌 Middle east

Cost of Living in Mecca - Frequently Asked Questions

Mecca offers a mix of value depending on your lifestyle. Local markets and street food provide affordable daily options, while imported goods and hospitality services can be pricier. Short-term stays or shared apartments can keep housing costs reasonable, especially if you look beyond the oldest quarters and toward newer residential districts with modern amenities. Seasonal demand around Hajj and Ramadan can push prices temporarily, so plan ahead and book in advance when possible. You can find pockets of good value if you balance location, commute, and daily routines. Cost of Living in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Tip: Compare neighborhoods, and start your housing search a few weeks before arrival.

Daily life blends practicality with religious and cultural rhythms. Housing options range from traditional apartments to modern compounds near business districts, and rents vary by distance from center and amenities. Food choices span affordable street stalls, casual cafes, and international restaurants, with supermarkets for weekly groceries. For getting around, you’ll find taxis, ride-hailing, and a growing number of bike-friendly routes in some neighborhoods. Mecca living cost varies by district, so compare locations before committing. Tip: Build a small weekly shopping list to avoid impulse buys.

Quality of life hinges on neighborhood fit, seasonality, and a simple budgeting framework. Expect busier streets and higher service demand during pilgrimage seasons, then quieter, more predictable days in off-peak periods. Start with a clear rent cap and a buffer for utilities, groceries, and transport. Favor neighborhoods that offer easy access to groceries, healthcare, and coworking spaces, while keeping a comfortable commute. Try a short trial stay in a few areas to feel the vibe and pace. Use local markets for fresh produce, and set flexible plans for dining and leisure to keep expenses aligned with your rhythm. Tip: Track expenses for a month and adjust your plan before renewing leases.

Plan for roughly $1,065 a month in Mecca if you're renting, or around $687 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Mecca come to around $1,065 including rent, or roughly $687 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $1,598 monthly in Mecca 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.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Mecca range from $282 to $231, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Mecca goes for roughly $40.59, 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 $404 monthly at a private kindergarten in Mecca. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.

$1,000 stretches far in Mecca – all-in monthly costs average only $1,065. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Mecca draws remote workers with fast internet, low crime rates, café culture, and at around $1,065 per month all-in, the price-to-lifestyle ratio is hard to beat. A growing international community makes networking and social life easy for newcomers.

Monthly expenses in Mecca run around $1,065, so putting money aside takes more than $1,598 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.