Cost of Living in Riyadh - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $832 (excluding rent), and $1,752 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,997 (excluding rent), and $3,224 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.78 SAR 29.18

$5.19 SAR 19.47

$15.57 SAR 58.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.5 SAR 197

$31.50 SAR 118

$105 SAR 394

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.88 SAR 29.56

$7.09 SAR 26.60

$9.20 SAR 34.52

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.75 SAR 6.55

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$3.23 SAR 12.11

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 SAR 8.64

$1.63 SAR 6.12

$3.53 SAR 13.23

Cappuccino

$4.10 SAR 15.36

$2.03 SAR 7.62

$6.77 SAR 25.38

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

$0.77 SAR 2.89

$0.70 SAR 2.61

$1.38 SAR 5.19

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 SAR 1.17

$0.28 SAR 1.05

$0.55 SAR 2.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 SAR 6.08

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$2.60 SAR 9.74

White Bread (500g)

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$0.53 SAR 2.01

$2.15 SAR 8.06

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.40 SAR 8.98

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$3.48 SAR 13.06

Eggs

$2.62 SAR 9.82

$1.57 SAR 5.89

$5.65 SAR 21.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.43 SAR 31.61

$4.00 SAR 14.98

$18.63 SAR 69.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.88 SAR 37.04

$4.19 SAR 15.70

$12.84 SAR 48.13

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.62 SAR 54.8

$10.64 SAR 39.90

$20.52 SAR 77.0

Apples (1kg)

$2.33 SAR 8.73

$1.35 SAR 5.07

$3.25 SAR 12.20

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 SAR 6.38

$1.19 SAR 4.45

$4.07 SAR 15.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.86 SAR 6.98

$1.07 SAR 4.01

$4.07 SAR 15.27

Tomato (1kg)

$1.60 SAR 5.99

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$2.46 SAR 9.21

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 SAR 4.66

$0.52 SAR 1.96

$2.10 SAR 7.88

Onion (1kg)

$1.50 SAR 5.64

$0.81 SAR 3.03

$2.42 SAR 9.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.38 SAR 5.18

$0.52 SAR 1.93

$2.85 SAR 10.69

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 SAR 2.07

$0.41 SAR 1.53

$0.82 SAR 3.06

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.74 SAR 32.76

$2.02 SAR 7.56

$16.14 SAR 60.5

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 SAR 6.53

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$2.40 SAR 8.98

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 SAR 8.89

$1.34 SAR 5.01

$3.75 SAR 14.06

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.13 SAR 26.74

$6.48 SAR 24.29

$8.81 SAR 33.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$1.35 SAR 5.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.77 SAR 142

$13.49 SAR 50.6

$40.48 SAR 152

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 SAR 12.21

$2.71 SAR 10.15

$5.42 SAR 20.34

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 SAR 6.87

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$3.92 SAR 14.70

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.20 SAR 49.49

$10.56 SAR 39.61

$26.40 SAR 99.0

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.24

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$0.63 SAR 2.35

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

$34.2K SAR 128.4K

$23.7K SAR 88.9K

$46.1K SAR 172.9K

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

$22.9K SAR 85.9K

$20.9K SAR 78.4K

$26.1K SAR 98.0K

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

$103 SAR 387

$56.0 SAR 210

$211 SAR 791

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

$35.08 SAR 132

$21.43 SAR 80.4

$67.0 SAR 251

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.5 SAR 279

$65.4 SAR 245

$78.5 SAR 294

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$107 SAR 402

$53.9 SAR 202

$162 SAR 606

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.6 SAR 224

$37.83 SAR 142

$81.1 SAR 304

Cinema Ticket

$15.80 SAR 59.2

$10.53 SAR 39.50

$26.32 SAR 98.7

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

$452 SAR 1,697

$264 SAR 990

$792 SAR 2,969

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,742 SAR 36.5K

$4,887 SAR 18.3K

$19.0K SAR 71.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.1 SAR 225

$24.05 SAR 90.2

$135 SAR 506

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.7 SAR 239

$39.48 SAR 148

$92.1 SAR 345

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$106 SAR 397

$52.3 SAR 196

$157 SAR 588

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.3 SAR 372

$39.87 SAR 149

$186 SAR 698

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,113 SAR 4,174

$679 SAR 2,545

$1,981 SAR 7,430

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$844 SAR 3,163

$530 SAR 1,986

$2,648 SAR 9,930

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,017 SAR 7,563

$1,051 SAR 3,940

$5,253 SAR 19.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,131 SAR 4,241

$678 SAR 2,544

$2,035 SAR 7,631

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,899 SAR 10.9K

$2,139 SAR 8,021

$4,011 SAR 15.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,918 SAR 7,194

$1,352 SAR 5,071

$2,975 SAR 11.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,215 SAR 8,308

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Riyadh Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

206

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

207

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 Riyadh - Frequently Asked Questions

Riyadh tends to balance modern city life with a relatively approachable cost compared with other major Gulf capitals. You’ll find comfortable options for living, dining, and work that don’t automatically push you into luxury niches. Day-to-day expenses scale with your lifestyle, especially housing styles and utilities, while services, coworking spaces, and local markets often feel reasonable when you choose neighborhoods wisely. Cost of Living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia varies by area, but many travelers and expats discover solid value by pairing longer-term housing with budget-minded dining and selective experiences. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in a central neighborhood to gauge value before committing.

Daily life in Riyadh centers on choosing neighborhoods that fit your pace and budget. For housing, compounds and towers offer maintenance and security with included amenities; outside these, shared apartments can lower rent but vary in upkeep. Food options range from local markets with fresh produce to international supermarkets with familiar brands. Transportation leans toward car ownership or ride-hailing, while some areas offer walkable cores and coffee spots ideal for work and errands. When you map errands, group trips by district to save time and fuel, and use seasonal promotions in supermarkets. Riyadh living cost can guide your expectations. Tip: Build a weekly plan that clusters tasks by neighborhood and reserve longer stays if needed.

Quality of life in Riyadh hinges on climate, safety, and social life. Use a simple budgeting framework: housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure. Save by cooking at home, choosing energy-efficient appliances, and taking advantage of off-peak shopping. Seasonal patterns affect comfort – hot summers push people indoors and toward evening outdoor activities in cooler months; Ramadan shifts meal timings and opening hours. For neighborhood fit, balance access to work and services with parks, cafes, and expat networks. Tip: Try a 2–3 month trial in a few districts before committing to a long-term lease.