Cost of Living in Riyadh - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,739 monthly including rent, or $791 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,521 with rent, or $1,281 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,304 including rent, or $1,771 for daily expenses alone.

Riyadh sits 17–30% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 66% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.21 SAR 30.82

$5.48 SAR 20.56

$16.43 SAR 61.7

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.0 SAR 199

$31.79 SAR 119

$106 SAR 398

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 SAR 30.45

$7.30 SAR 27.40

$9.47 SAR 35.56

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.71 SAR 6.41

$1.31 SAR 4.93

$3.16 SAR 11.86

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 SAR 8.37

$1.58 SAR 5.92

$3.41 SAR 12.81

Cappuccino

$4.09 SAR 15.34

$2.03 SAR 7.62

$6.76 SAR 25.36

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

$0.71 SAR 2.66

$0.64 SAR 2.41

$1.28 SAR 4.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 SAR 1.07

$0.26 SAR 0.97

$0.51 SAR 1.90

Milk (1 liter)

$1.68 SAR 6.30

$1.34 SAR 5.05

$2.69 SAR 10.10

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 SAR 4.79

$0.52 SAR 1.97

$2.11 SAR 7.91

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.35 SAR 8.83

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$3.42 SAR 12.84

Eggs

$2.73 SAR 10.24

$1.63 SAR 6.13

$5.88 SAR 22.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.64 SAR 32.44

$4.10 SAR 15.37

$19.10 SAR 71.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.02 SAR 37.63

$4.25 SAR 15.95

$13.03 SAR 48.89

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.57 SAR 54.7

$10.60 SAR 39.79

$20.44 SAR 76.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.35 SAR 8.82

$1.36 SAR 5.12

$3.28 SAR 12.33

Banana (1kg)

$1.75 SAR 6.56

$1.22 SAR 4.58

$4.18 SAR 15.68

Oranges (1kg)

$1.85 SAR 6.93

$1.06 SAR 3.97

$4.03 SAR 15.14

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 SAR 5.73

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$2.35 SAR 8.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 SAR 4.82

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$2.17 SAR 8.16

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 SAR 5.50

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$2.36 SAR 8.86

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 SAR 5.44

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$2.99 SAR 11.23

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 SAR 1.99

$0.39 SAR 1.47

$0.78 SAR 2.95

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.16 SAR 30.62

$2.04 SAR 7.66

$16.32 SAR 61.3

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 SAR 6.42

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.35 SAR 8.82

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 SAR 8.94

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$3.77 SAR 14.13

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.54 SAR 28.30

$6.85 SAR 25.71

$9.32 SAR 34.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 SAR 4.09

$1.35 SAR 5.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.73 SAR 138

$13.12 SAR 49.23

$39.36 SAR 148

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 SAR 12.29

$2.72 SAR 10.22

$5.46 SAR 20.48

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 SAR 6.95

$0.79 SAR 2.97

$3.96 SAR 14.86

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.49 SAR 50.6

$10.79 SAR 40.51

$26.97 SAR 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.63 SAR 2.36

$0.55 SAR 2.05

$0.66 SAR 2.48

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

$34.1K SAR 128.1K

$23.6K SAR 88.7K

$45.9K SAR 172.4K

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

$23.4K SAR 87.9K

$21.4K SAR 80.2K

$26.7K SAR 100.3K

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

$104 SAR 391

$56.6 SAR 212

$213 SAR 799

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

$34.25 SAR 129

$20.92 SAR 78.5

$65.4 SAR 245

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.0 SAR 289

$67.6 SAR 254

$81.1 SAR 304

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$105 SAR 394

$52.8 SAR 198

$158 SAR 594

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$58.3 SAR 219

$37.00 SAR 139

$79.3 SAR 298

Cinema Ticket

$16.17 SAR 60.7

$10.78 SAR 40.46

$26.93 SAR 101

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

$457 SAR 1,716

$267 SAR 1,001

$800 SAR 3,002

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,739 SAR 36.6K

$4,885 SAR 18.3K

$19.0K SAR 71.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.5 SAR 223

$23.81 SAR 89.4

$134 SAR 501

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.1 SAR 241

$39.72 SAR 149

$92.7 SAR 348

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 SAR 400

$52.6 SAR 198

$158 SAR 593

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 SAR 376

$40.25 SAR 151

$188 SAR 705

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,072 SAR 4,024

$654 SAR 2,454

$1,908 SAR 7,164

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$841 SAR 3,158

$528 SAR 1,983

$2,641 SAR 9,914

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,027 SAR 7,609

$1,056 SAR 3,964

$5,280 SAR 19.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,090 SAR 4,093

$654 SAR 2,455

$1,962 SAR 7,365

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,075 SAR 11.5K

$2,269 SAR 8,518

$4,005 SAR 15.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,931 SAR 7,248

$1,382 SAR 5,186

$3,188 SAR 12.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,252 SAR 8,453

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,072 for a central one-bedroom, or $841 outside the center. At 48% of the average salary ($2,252), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,252, while typical expenses reach $1,739. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,608.

Expect to spend about $226 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $53.0 for two – above the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $36.73 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.00.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Internet is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 97% of cities in Asia

Riyadh 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 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.

All in, Riyadh runs about $1,739 monthly with rent, or $791 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

As of 2026, monthly living costs in Riyadh come to around $1,739 including rent, or roughly $791 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $2,608 monthly in Riyadh 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 Riyadh range from $841 to $1,072, 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 Riyadh runs about $36.73, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $226 monthly, food costs in Riyadh sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $3,000 in Riyadh means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,739. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Remote workers pick Riyadh for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, remote work facilities, all at about $1,739 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Riyadh run around $1,739, so putting money aside takes more than $2,608 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.