Last update: Oct 2026 Saudi Arabia ⭐ Capital 5.2M

Cost of Living in Riyadh

Name: Riyadh
Address: Riyadh, SA

For one person, living costs in Riyadh are estimated at $1,740 a month, including rent and utilities – 38% above the national average. Rent and utilities take more than half of the total.

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Riyadh

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Riyadh

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Riyadh actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,740 monthly including rent, or $798 excluding housing.

$1,740 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,559 with rent, or $1,425 without housing.

$2,559 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,378 including rent, or $2,052 for daily expenses alone.

$3,378 /mo

Riyadh sits 19–28% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 64% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.85 SAR 29.47

$4.71 SAR 17.67

$15.71 SAR 58.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.0 SAR 244

$26.54 SAR 99.6

$133 SAR 498

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 SAR 30.43

$7.57 SAR 28.41

$9.46 SAR 35.51

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.15 SAR 8.06

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$2.68 SAR 10.07

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.97 SAR 11.15

$1.62 SAR 6.09

$5.42 SAR 20.35

Cappuccino

$4.16 SAR 15.62

$1.81 SAR 6.80

$6.47 SAR 24.29

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

$0.84 SAR 3.14

$0.63 SAR 2.38

$1.28 SAR 4.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 SAR 1.21

$0.28 SAR 1.05

$0.83 SAR 3.11

Milk (1 liter)

$1.76 SAR 6.61

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$2.89 SAR 10.84

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 SAR 4.74

$0.39 SAR 1.48

$1.57 SAR 5.88

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.47 SAR 9.27

$1.36 SAR 5.12

$4.09 SAR 15.35

Eggs

$3.16 SAR 11.85

$1.97 SAR 7.37

$4.92 SAR 18.46

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.37 SAR 38.91

$5.78 SAR 21.69

$18.35 SAR 68.9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.81 SAR 36.80

$4.37 SAR 16.41

$11.48 SAR 43.09

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.75 SAR 55.4

$11.75 SAR 44.08

$20.88 SAR 78.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.93 SAR 10.99

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$4.08 SAR 15.33

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 SAR 7.41

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.00 SAR 11.27

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 SAR 9.51

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$4.62 SAR 17.33

Tomato (1kg)

$1.80 SAR 6.76

$1.09 SAR 4.10

$3.01 SAR 11.28

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 SAR 4.45

$0.79 SAR 2.97

$1.57 SAR 5.90

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 SAR 5.00

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$2.45 SAR 9.20

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 SAR 6.62

$0.54 SAR 2.03

$2.71 SAR 10.17

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 SAR 2.12

$0.49 SAR 1.85

$0.82 SAR 3.08

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$8.00 SAR 30.03

$4.25 SAR 15.94

$16.01 SAR 60.1

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.81 SAR 6.78

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$2.45 SAR 9.21

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 SAR 9.00

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$3.16 SAR 11.86

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.77 SAR 29.15

$6.69 SAR 25.11

$10.71 SAR 40.19

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.01 SAR 139

$35.16 SAR 132

$92.5 SAR 347

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.10 SAR 11.63

$2.32 SAR 8.72

$5.16 SAR 19.36

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.88 SAR 7.05

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$4.03 SAR 15.13

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.55 SAR 50.8

$12.19 SAR 45.75

$27.08 SAR 102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.65 SAR 2.43

$0.61 SAR 2.27

$0.65 SAR 2.43

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

$25.9K SAR 97.2K

$65.6K SAR 246.1K

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

$22.2K SAR 83.3K

$21.1K SAR 79.2K

$23.7K SAR 88.8K

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

$108 SAR 405

$67.1 SAR 252

$188 SAR 705

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

$28.99 SAR 109

$13.09 SAR 49.12

$52.3 SAR 196

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.3 SAR 271

$53.7 SAR 202

$107 SAR 403

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.3 SAR 331

$52.3 SAR 196

$157 SAR 589

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$56.3 SAR 211

$38.24 SAR 144

$80.2 SAR 301

Cinema Ticket

$13.43 SAR 50.4

$10.74 SAR 40.31

$20.14 SAR 75.6

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

$529 SAR 1,986

$399 SAR 1,496

$752 SAR 2,821

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.1K SAR 37.8K

$6,380 SAR 23.9K

$23.9K SAR 89.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.9 SAR 221

$21.55 SAR 80.9

$134 SAR 504

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.9 SAR 202

$26.45 SAR 99.2

$92.6 SAR 347

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 SAR 385

$60.0 SAR 225

$173 SAR 651

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 SAR 383

$39.22 SAR 147

$157 SAR 589

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,170 SAR 4,392

$788 SAR 2,957

$1,912 SAR 7,175

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$834 SAR 3,130

$480 SAR 1,801

$1,333 SAR 5,003

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,231 SAR 8,372

$1,717 SAR 6,445

$2,748 SAR 10.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,218 SAR 4,571

$795 SAR 2,984

$2,253 SAR 8,456

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,007 SAR 11.3K

$2,297 SAR 8,618

$4,053 SAR 15.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,910 SAR 7,169

$1,367 SAR 5,130

$3,155 SAR 11.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,077 SAR 7,795

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: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Riyadh $1,740

Accommodation & Living

$834 48%

Groceries & Markets

$243 14%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$209 12%

Clothing & Footwear

$143 8.2%

Eating Out

$142 8.2%

Sport & Entertainment

$115 6.6%

Getting Around

$54 3.1%

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,170 for a central one-bedroom, or $834 outside the center. At 56% of the average salary ($2,077), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,077, while typical expenses reach $1,740. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,609.

Expect to spend about $243 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $65.0 for two – above the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $37.01 per month – roughly in line with the Asian average of $33.00.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 98% 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

Good to know

🕒 Local time

16:19 4:19 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

5,188,286 Capital

💱 Currency

Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س

📈 Exchange rate

1 SAR = 0.266 USD

1 SAR = 0.237 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Riyadh

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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 $1,740 monthly with rent, or $798 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 $1,740 including rent, or roughly $798 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.

Earning $2,609 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 $834 to $1,170, 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 $37.01, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $243 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 $1,740. 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 $1,740 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

Monthly expenses in Riyadh run around $1,740, so putting money aside takes more than $2,609 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.