Cost of Living in Riyadh - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

58.71

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $831 (excluding rent), and $1,759 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,031 (excluding rent), and $3,246 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.83 SAR 29.37

$5.22 SAR 19.59

$15.67 SAR 58.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.7 SAR 198

$31.6 SAR 119

$105 SAR 395

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.78 SAR 29.18

$7 SAR 26.26

$9.08 SAR 34.07

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.7 SAR 6.37

$1.31 SAR 4.9

$3.14 SAR 11.78

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 SAR 8.53

$1.61 SAR 6.04

$3.48 SAR 13.07

Cappuccino

$4.08 SAR 15.3

$2.02 SAR 7.59

$6.74 SAR 25.28

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

$0.72 SAR 2.68

$0.65 SAR 2.43

$1.29 SAR 4.82

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 SAR 1.17

$0.28 SAR 1.06

$0.55 SAR 2.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.67 SAR 6.28

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$2.68 SAR 10.07

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$2.18 SAR 8.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.43 SAR 9.1

$1.36 SAR 5.08

$3.53 SAR 13.23

Eggs

$2.74 SAR 10.26

$1.64 SAR 6.15

$5.9 SAR 22.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.67 SAR 32.53

$4.11 SAR 15.42

$19.16 SAR 71.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.25 SAR 38.45

$4.35 SAR 16.3

$13.32 SAR 49.97

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.79 SAR 55.5

$10.76 SAR 40.37

$20.76 SAR 77.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 SAR 8.71

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$3.25 SAR 12.18

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 SAR 6.28

$1.17 SAR 4.38

$4 SAR 15

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 SAR 6.9

$1.06 SAR 3.96

$4.02 SAR 15.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.6 SAR 5.99

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$2.46 SAR 9.22

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 SAR 4.8

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.16 SAR 8.11

Onion (1kg)

$1.52 SAR 5.72

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$2.45 SAR 9.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.39 SAR 5.23

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$2.88 SAR 10.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$0.38 SAR 1.44

$0.77 SAR 2.87

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.89 SAR 33.36

$1.37 SAR 5.12

$16.42 SAR 61.6

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 SAR 6.5

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.38 SAR 8.94

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.31 SAR 8.65

$1.3 SAR 4.87

$3.64 SAR 13.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.3 SAR 27.38

$6.63 SAR 24.87

$9.02 SAR 33.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.92

$1.3 SAR 4.87

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.83 SAR 142

$13.51 SAR 50.7

$40.54 SAR 152

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.23 SAR 12.12

$2.69 SAR 10.08

$5.38 SAR 20.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 SAR 6.86

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$3.91 SAR 14.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.22 SAR 49.6

$10.58 SAR 39.69

$26.44 SAR 99.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.58 SAR 2.18

$0.51 SAR 1.9

$0.61 SAR 2.29

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

$34.3K SAR 128.8K

$23.8K SAR 89.1K

$46.2K SAR 173.3K

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

$23.4K SAR 87.7K

$21.3K SAR 80K

$26.7K SAR 100K

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

$103 SAR 385

$55.7 SAR 209

$210 SAR 787

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

$34.51 SAR 129

$21.08 SAR 79.1

$65.9 SAR 247

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.3 SAR 290

$67.9 SAR 255

$81.5 SAR 306

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$106 SAR 399

$53.5 SAR 201

$161 SAR 602

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$58 SAR 217

$36.78 SAR 138

$78.8 SAR 296

Cinema Ticket

$16.09 SAR 60.4

$10.72 SAR 40.23

$26.8 SAR 101

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

$460 SAR 1,725

$268 SAR 1,006

$805 SAR 3,019

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,589 SAR 36K

$4,810 SAR 18K

$18.7K SAR 70.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.4 SAR 223

$23.76 SAR 89.1

$133 SAR 500

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.1 SAR 244

$40.37 SAR 151

$94.2 SAR 353

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 SAR 413

$54.3 SAR 204

$163 SAR 611

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$101 SAR 380

$40.69 SAR 153

$190 SAR 712

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,101 SAR 4,129

$671 SAR 2,518

$1,959 SAR 7,351

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$847 SAR 3,178

$532 SAR 1,995

$2,660 SAR 9,977

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,058 SAR 7,719

$1,072 SAR 4,021

$5,360 SAR 20.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,107 SAR 4,154

$664 SAR 2,492

$1,993 SAR 7,475

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,650 SAR 9,941

$1,998 SAR 7,496

$3,978 SAR 14.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,753 SAR 6,575

$1,317 SAR 4,939

$2,804 SAR 10.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,462 SAR 9,235

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

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.