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 $1,768 monthly including rent, or $807 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,510 with rent, or $1,427 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,251 including rent, or $2,046 for daily expenses alone.

Riyadh sits 15–31% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 72% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.14 SAR 30.53

$5.43 SAR 20.37

$16.29 SAR 61.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.9 SAR 202

$32.31 SAR 121

$108 SAR 404

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 SAR 29.21

$7.01 SAR 26.29

$9.10 SAR 34.11

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.74 SAR 6.54

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$3.22 SAR 12.09

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 SAR 8.31

$1.57 SAR 5.89

$3.39 SAR 12.73

Cappuccino

$4.09 SAR 15.33

$2.03 SAR 7.61

$6.75 SAR 25.33

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

$0.72 SAR 2.72

$0.66 SAR 2.46

$1.30 SAR 4.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 SAR 1.08

$0.26 SAR 0.97

$0.51 SAR 1.90

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 SAR 6.39

$1.37 SAR 5.12

$2.73 SAR 10.25

White Bread (500g)

$1.32 SAR 4.97

$0.54 SAR 2.04

$2.19 SAR 8.20

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.35 SAR 8.80

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$3.41 SAR 12.79

Eggs

$2.64 SAR 9.91

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$5.70 SAR 21.37

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.29 SAR 31.09

$3.93 SAR 14.74

$18.32 SAR 68.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.17 SAR 38.13

$4.31 SAR 16.16

$13.21 SAR 49.55

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.69 SAR 55.1

$10.69 SAR 40.07

$20.61 SAR 77.3

Apples (1kg)

$2.25 SAR 8.43

$1.31 SAR 4.89

$3.14 SAR 11.78

Banana (1kg)

$1.67 SAR 6.27

$1.17 SAR 4.38

$4.00 SAR 14.99

Oranges (1kg)

$1.81 SAR 6.77

$1.04 SAR 3.89

$3.95 SAR 14.81

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 SAR 5.91

$0.81 SAR 3.03

$2.43 SAR 9.10

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 SAR 4.61

$0.52 SAR 1.94

$2.08 SAR 7.79

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 SAR 5.66

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.43 SAR 9.11

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.43 SAR 5.37

$0.53 SAR 2.00

$2.96 SAR 11.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 SAR 2.07

$0.41 SAR 1.54

$0.82 SAR 3.07

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$7.88 SAR 29.54

$1.97 SAR 7.39

$15.77 SAR 59.1

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 SAR 6.69

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$2.45 SAR 9.20

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 SAR 8.73

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$3.68 SAR 13.79

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.55 SAR 28.31

$6.86 SAR 25.72

$9.33 SAR 34.99

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.10 SAR 4.11

$1.36 SAR 5.11

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.55 SAR 137

$13.05 SAR 48.95

$39.17 SAR 147

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.12 SAR 11.71

$2.60 SAR 9.73

$5.20 SAR 19.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 SAR 7.14

$0.81 SAR 3.05

$4.07 SAR 15.27

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.42 SAR 50.3

$10.74 SAR 40.28

$26.84 SAR 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.24

$0.52 SAR 1.95

$0.63 SAR 2.35

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

$35.0K SAR 131.3K

$24.2K SAR 90.9K

$47.1K SAR 176.7K

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

$23.5K SAR 88.2K

$21.5K SAR 80.5K

$26.8K SAR 100.6K

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

$106 SAR 398

$57.6 SAR 216

$217 SAR 813

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

$35.52 SAR 133

$21.70 SAR 81.4

$67.8 SAR 254

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 SAR 286

$66.9 SAR 251

$80.3 SAR 301

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$105 SAR 392

$52.7 SAR 197

$158 SAR 592

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$59.4 SAR 223

$37.73 SAR 141

$80.8 SAR 303

Cinema Ticket

$15.71 SAR 58.9

$10.47 SAR 39.27

$26.17 SAR 98.1

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

$453 SAR 1,698

$264 SAR 990

$792 SAR 2,970

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,659 SAR 36.2K

$4,845 SAR 18.2K

$18.8K SAR 70.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.6 SAR 220

$23.44 SAR 87.9

$131 SAR 493

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.7 SAR 246

$40.72 SAR 153

$95.0 SAR 356

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 SAR 409

$53.7 SAR 202

$161 SAR 605

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.7 SAR 366

$39.22 SAR 147

$183 SAR 686

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,082 SAR 4,057

$660 SAR 2,474

$1,926 SAR 7,221

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$859 SAR 3,222

$539 SAR 2,023

$2,697 SAR 10.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,019 SAR 7,571

$1,052 SAR 3,944

$5,259 SAR 19.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,121 SAR 4,203

$672 SAR 2,521

$2,017 SAR 7,563

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,951 SAR 11.1K

$2,166 SAR 8,123

$4,062 SAR 15.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,882 SAR 7,057

$1,310 SAR 4,912

$3,144 SAR 11.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,289 SAR 8,584

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.31

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,082 for a central one-bedroom, or $859 outside the center. At around 47% of the average salary ($2,289), rent noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,289, while typical expenses reach $1,768. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,652.

Expect to spend about $225 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $54 for two – above the Asian average of $35.

Public transport is priced at around $37 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $31.

Cost Highlights

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

Internet is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 98% 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 $1,768 monthly with rent, or $807 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 $1,768 including rent, or roughly $807 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $2,652 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 $859 to $1,082, 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 $36.55, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $225 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 $1,000 in Riyadh means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,768. 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 $1,768 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Riyadh run around $1,768, so putting money aside takes more than $2,652 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.