Cost of Living in Riyadh - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $812 (excluding rent), and $1,739 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,009 (excluding rent), and $3,251 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.97 SAR 29.89

$5.31 SAR 19.94

$15.94 SAR 59.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.9 SAR 198

$31.73 SAR 119

$106 SAR 397

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.07 SAR 30.29

$7.27 SAR 27.25

$9.43 SAR 35.37

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.7 SAR 6.38

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$3.15 SAR 11.81

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.3 SAR 8.63

$1.63 SAR 6.11

$3.52 SAR 13.21

Cappuccino

$4.02 SAR 15.07

$1.99 SAR 7.48

$6.64 SAR 24.9

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

$0.73 SAR 2.74

$0.66 SAR 2.48

$1.31 SAR 4.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 SAR 1.18

$0.28 SAR 1.06

$0.55 SAR 2.08

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 SAR 6.3

$1.35 SAR 5.05

$2.69 SAR 10.09

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 SAR 4.73

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$2.08 SAR 7.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.32 SAR 8.71

$1.3 SAR 4.87

$3.38 SAR 12.67

Eggs

$2.66 SAR 9.97

$1.59 SAR 5.98

$5.73 SAR 21.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.61 SAR 32.31

$4.08 SAR 15.31

$19.03 SAR 71.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.89 SAR 37.11

$4.19 SAR 15.73

$12.86 SAR 48.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.82 SAR 55.6

$10.78 SAR 40.44

$20.79 SAR 78

Apples (1kg)

$2.23 SAR 8.35

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$3.11 SAR 11.67

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 SAR 6.63

$1.23 SAR 4.63

$4.22 SAR 15.85

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 SAR 6.79

$1.04 SAR 3.89

$3.95 SAR 14.83

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 SAR 5.72

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.35 SAR 8.8

Potato (1kg)

$1.25 SAR 4.68

$0.52 SAR 1.97

$2.11 SAR 7.91

Onion (1kg)

$1.53 SAR 5.75

$0.82 SAR 3.09

$2.47 SAR 9.26

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.43 SAR 5.37

$0.53 SAR 2

$2.95 SAR 11.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$0.38 SAR 1.44

$0.77 SAR 2.88

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$9.55 SAR 35.82

$2.05 SAR 7.68

$16.38 SAR 61.4

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 SAR 6.41

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.35 SAR 8.82

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.3 SAR 8.63

$1.3 SAR 4.87

$3.64 SAR 13.64

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.53 SAR 28.24

$6.84 SAR 25.65

$9.3 SAR 34.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$1.35 SAR 5.07

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.14 SAR 139

$13.26 SAR 49.75

$39.8 SAR 149

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 SAR 11.69

$2.59 SAR 9.71

$5.19 SAR 19.46

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 SAR 7.15

$0.82 SAR 3.06

$4.08 SAR 15.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.09 SAR 49.1

$10.47 SAR 39.29

$26.18 SAR 98.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 SAR 2.23

$0.52 SAR 1.93

$0.62 SAR 2.34

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

$34.6K SAR 129.6K

$23.9K SAR 89.7K

$46.5K SAR 174.5K

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

$23.7K SAR 88.9K

$21.6K SAR 81.1K

$27K SAR 101.4K

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

$105 SAR 394

$57 SAR 214

$215 SAR 805

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

$34.53 SAR 130

$21.09 SAR 79.1

$65.9 SAR 247

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.4 SAR 279

$65.3 SAR 245

$78.4 SAR 294

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$104 SAR 392

$52.6 SAR 197

$158 SAR 591

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$57.8 SAR 217

$36.67 SAR 138

$78.6 SAR 295

Cinema Ticket

$15.69 SAR 58.9

$10.46 SAR 39.24

$26.14 SAR 98.1

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

$455 SAR 1,706

$265 SAR 995

$796 SAR 2,984

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,479 SAR 35.6K

$4,754 SAR 17.8K

$18.5K SAR 69.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.7 SAR 224

$23.89 SAR 89.6

$134 SAR 503

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.5 SAR 238

$39.33 SAR 148

$91.8 SAR 344

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 SAR 406

$53.4 SAR 200

$160 SAR 600

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.9 SAR 367

$39.33 SAR 148

$184 SAR 688

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,106 SAR 4,149

$674 SAR 2,530

$1,969 SAR 7,387

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$859 SAR 3,223

$539 SAR 2,023

$2,697 SAR 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,067 SAR 7,755

$1,077 SAR 4,040

$5,385 SAR 20.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,089 SAR 4,084

$653 SAR 2,449

$1,959 SAR 7,348

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,938 SAR 11K

$2,079 SAR 7,799

$4,024 SAR 15.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,228 SAR 8,358

$1,557 SAR 5,841

$3,221 SAR 12.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,458 SAR 9,221

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

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.