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 $1,736 monthly including rent, or $816 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,592 with rent, or $1,440 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,447 including rent, or $2,065 for daily expenses alone.

Riyadh sits 18–26% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 59% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.72 SAR 28.99

$4.64 SAR 17.42

$15.45 SAR 58.0

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.3 SAR 241

$26.25 SAR 98.6

$131 SAR 493

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.39 SAR 31.49

$7.23 SAR 27.13

$9.03 SAR 33.90

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.81 SAR 6.79

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.59 SAR 9.73

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 SAR 10.67

$1.56 SAR 5.85

$5.20 SAR 19.51

Cappuccino

$4.38 SAR 16.44

$1.90 SAR 7.12

$6.79 SAR 25.49

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

$0.86 SAR 3.23

$0.63 SAR 2.37

$1.26 SAR 4.73

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 SAR 1.28

$0.27 SAR 1.01

$0.82 SAR 3.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 SAR 6.40

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$2.95 SAR 11.08

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$0.55 SAR 2.05

$1.64 SAR 6.14

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.42 SAR 9.07

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$3.93 SAR 14.76

Eggs

$3.27 SAR 12.29

$1.96 SAR 7.36

$4.90 SAR 18.38

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.55 SAR 35.87

$5.82 SAR 21.85

$18.47 SAR 69.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.80 SAR 36.81

$4.16 SAR 15.61

$11.42 SAR 42.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.00 SAR 56.3

$11.69 SAR 43.90

$20.78 SAR 78.0

Apples (1kg)

$2.70 SAR 10.13

$1.33 SAR 5.01

$3.48 SAR 13.05

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 SAR 7.14

$1.33 SAR 4.98

$2.93 SAR 10.99

Oranges (1kg)

$2.32 SAR 8.72

$1.07 SAR 4.00

$4.52 SAR 16.98

Tomato (1kg)

$1.72 SAR 6.44

$1.08 SAR 4.04

$2.69 SAR 10.10

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 SAR 4.16

$0.51 SAR 1.93

$2.31 SAR 8.68

Onion (1kg)

$1.39 SAR 5.21

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$2.23 SAR 8.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.71 SAR 6.41

$0.54 SAR 2.02

$2.69 SAR 10.11

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 SAR 2.22

$0.50 SAR 1.87

$0.82 SAR 3.08

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.02 SAR 30.12

$4.25 SAR 15.97

$16.05 SAR 60.3

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 SAR 6.77

$1.33 SAR 5.00

$2.43 SAR 9.12

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 SAR 9.24

$1.29 SAR 4.86

$3.89 SAR 14.61

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.29 SAR 27.38

$6.51 SAR 24.43

$9.11 SAR 34.21

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.11 SAR 139

$31.81 SAR 119

$53.0 SAR 199

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 SAR 12.25

$2.44 SAR 9.17

$5.44 SAR 20.42

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 SAR 6.89

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$2.63 SAR 9.87

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.30 SAR 49.94

$11.97 SAR 44.96

$26.60 SAR 99.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 SAR 2.20

$0.56 SAR 2.09

$0.60 SAR 2.24

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

$35.4K SAR 133.0K

$26.1K SAR 98.1K

$65.3K SAR 245.3K

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

$22.3K SAR 83.8K

$21.0K SAR 78.9K

$25.2K SAR 94.5K

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

$95.6 SAR 359

$60.1 SAR 226

$172 SAR 647

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

$31.83 SAR 120

$15.69 SAR 58.9

$65.4 SAR 245

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.0 SAR 263

$53.4 SAR 201

$80.2 SAR 301

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$91.6 SAR 344

$52.3 SAR 196

$157 SAR 589

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$54.8 SAR 206

$37.27 SAR 140

$78.2 SAR 294

Cinema Ticket

$13.76 SAR 51.7

$10.48 SAR 39.36

$19.66 SAR 73.8

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

$539 SAR 2,023

$398 SAR 1,493

$822 SAR 3,085

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.1K SAR 41.8K

$6,584 SAR 24.7K

$23.7K SAR 89.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.9 SAR 225

$18.88 SAR 70.9

$135 SAR 506

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.4 SAR 219

$25.99 SAR 97.6

$91.0 SAR 342

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 SAR 415

$66.3 SAR 249

$186 SAR 697

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 SAR 391

$39.03 SAR 147

$156 SAR 586

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,189 SAR 4,464

$792 SAR 2,974

$1,922 SAR 7,218

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$851 SAR 3,195

$529 SAR 1,988

$1,323 SAR 4,970

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,177 SAR 8,174

$1,599 SAR 6,005

$2,772 SAR 10.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,274 SAR 4,782

$801 SAR 3,008

$2,269 SAR 8,522

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,947 SAR 11.1K

$2,251 SAR 8,452

$3,972 SAR 14.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,891 SAR 7,100

$1,353 SAR 5,081

$3,123 SAR 11.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,104 SAR 7,902

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.54

3.2

6.5

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

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,189 for a central one-bedroom, or $851 outside the center. At 56% of the average salary ($2,104), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,104, while typical expenses reach $1,736. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,605.

Expect to spend about $238 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $64.0 for two – above the Asian average of $36.00.

Public transport is priced at around $37.11 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 96% of cities in Asia

Gym membership is more expensive than 96% 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 $1,736 monthly with rent, or $816 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 $1,736 including rent, or roughly $816 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $2,605 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 $851 to $1,189, 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 $37.11, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $238 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 $1,736. 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 $1,736 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Riyadh run around $1,736, so putting money aside takes more than $2,605 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.