Cost of Living in Riyadh - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $805 (excluding rent), and $1,742 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,996 (excluding rent), and $3,247 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.92 SAR 29.72

$5.29 SAR 19.82

$15.86 SAR 59.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.9 SAR 198

$31.73 SAR 119

$106 SAR 397

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.85 SAR 29.43

$7.06 SAR 26.48

$9.16 SAR 34.37

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.76 SAR 6.59

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$3.25 SAR 12.18

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 SAR 8.27

$1.56 SAR 5.85

$3.38 SAR 12.66

Cappuccino

$3.99 SAR 14.96

$1.98 SAR 7.43

$6.59 SAR 24.73

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

$0.77 SAR 2.90

$0.70 SAR 2.63

$1.39 SAR 5.21

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 SAR 1.07

$0.26 SAR 0.96

$0.50 SAR 1.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$2.63 SAR 9.87

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 SAR 4.72

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$2.08 SAR 7.80

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.44 SAR 9.15

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$3.55 SAR 13.30

Eggs

$2.74 SAR 10.28

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$5.92 SAR 22.19

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.24 SAR 30.89

$3.90 SAR 14.64

$18.20 SAR 68.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.10 SAR 37.88

$4.28 SAR 16.06

$13.13 SAR 49.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.73 SAR 55.3

$10.72 SAR 40.20

$20.68 SAR 77.5

Apples (1kg)

$2.30 SAR 8.64

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$3.22 SAR 12.07

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 SAR 6.40

$1.19 SAR 4.46

$4.08 SAR 15.28

Oranges (1kg)

$1.78 SAR 6.68

$1.02 SAR 3.84

$3.90 SAR 14.61

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 SAR 5.75

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$2.36 SAR 8.85

Potato (1kg)

$1.30 SAR 4.86

$0.54 SAR 2.04

$2.19 SAR 8.21

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 SAR 5.65

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.43 SAR 9.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 SAR 5.42

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.98 SAR 11.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 SAR 1.92

$0.38 SAR 1.43

$0.76 SAR 2.85

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.14 SAR 30.53

$2.04 SAR 7.64

$16.29 SAR 61.1

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 SAR 6.45

$1.30 SAR 4.87

$2.36 SAR 8.87

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 SAR 9.07

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$3.82 SAR 14.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.50 SAR 28.14

$6.82 SAR 25.56

$9.27 SAR 34.78

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 SAR 3.90

$1.29 SAR 4.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.86 SAR 138

$13.16 SAR 49.37

$39.50 SAR 148

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 SAR 11.69

$2.59 SAR 9.72

$5.19 SAR 19.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 SAR 7.17

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$4.09 SAR 15.33

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.17 SAR 49.40

$10.54 SAR 39.54

$26.35 SAR 98.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.23

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$0.62 SAR 2.34

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

$35.0K SAR 131.1K

$24.2K SAR 90.7K

$47.1K SAR 176.4K

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

$23.6K SAR 88.6K

$21.6K SAR 80.9K

$27.0K SAR 101.1K

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

$105 SAR 395

$57.2 SAR 214

$215 SAR 807

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

$34.86 SAR 131

$21.29 SAR 79.9

$66.5 SAR 249

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.7 SAR 284

$66.5 SAR 249

$79.8 SAR 299

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$104 SAR 390

$52.3 SAR 196

$157 SAR 588

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$58.2 SAR 218

$36.95 SAR 139

$79.2 SAR 297

Cinema Ticket

$16.02 SAR 60.1

$10.68 SAR 40.04

$26.68 SAR 100

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

$465 SAR 1,745

$271 SAR 1,018

$814 SAR 3,053

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,705 SAR 36.4K

$4,868 SAR 18.3K

$18.9K SAR 71.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.4 SAR 223

$23.77 SAR 89.2

$133 SAR 500

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.7 SAR 239

$39.51 SAR 148

$92.2 SAR 346

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 SAR 401

$52.7 SAR 198

$158 SAR 593

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.0 SAR 367

$39.35 SAR 148

$184 SAR 689

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,091 SAR 4,089

$665 SAR 2,494

$1,941 SAR 7,280

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$848 SAR 3,180

$532 SAR 1,996

$2,662 SAR 9,982

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,067 SAR 7,753

$1,077 SAR 4,039

$5,385 SAR 20.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,112 SAR 4,168

$667 SAR 2,500

$2,000 SAR 7,501

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,924 SAR 11.0K

$2,147 SAR 8,050

$4,025 SAR 15.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,908 SAR 7,155

$1,328 SAR 4,981

$3,188 SAR 12.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,382 SAR 8,931

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

Riyadh Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 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.