Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

51.66

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $737 (excluding rent), and $1,246 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,784 (excluding rent), and $2,506 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.57 SAR 24.66

$3.95 SAR 14.81

$13.15 SAR 49.32

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.53 SAR 152

$27.01 SAR 101

$81.9 SAR 307

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 SAR 29.48

$6.55 SAR 24.57

$9.18 SAR 34.42

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.82 SAR 6.82

$1.04 SAR 3.9

$3.11 SAR 11.67

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 SAR 6.94

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$3.17 SAR 11.88

Cappuccino

$3.59 SAR 13.48

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$5.94 SAR 22.28

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

$0.77 SAR 2.87

$0.69 SAR 2.6

$1.11 SAR 4.15

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 SAR 0.93

$0.14 SAR 0.54

$0.5 SAR 1.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 SAR 6.17

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.33 SAR 8.76

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 SAR 3.7

$0.27 SAR 1

$1.84 SAR 6.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 SAR 8.11

$1.3 SAR 4.88

$2.86 SAR 10.75

Eggs

$2.49 SAR 9.33

$1.57 SAR 5.9

$4.72 SAR 17.71

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.26 SAR 27.25

$3.99 SAR 14.95

$15.93 SAR 59.8

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.26 SAR 31

$4.09 SAR 15.35

$12.26 SAR 46.01

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.14 SAR 49.29

$8.04 SAR 30.16

$18.76 SAR 70.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.23 SAR 8.37

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.29 SAR 12.35

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 SAR 6.3

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$2.72 SAR 10.22

Oranges (1kg)

$1.67 SAR 6.28

$0.81 SAR 3.03

$2.68 SAR 10.07

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.14

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$2.45 SAR 9.21

Potato (1kg)

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$0.74 SAR 2.77

$2.18 SAR 8.19

Onion (1kg)

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$0.79 SAR 2.97

$2.11 SAR 7.9

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 SAR 4.54

$0.4 SAR 1.49

$2.38 SAR 8.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 SAR 2.29

$0.41 SAR 1.55

$1.11 SAR 4.16

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$2.74 SAR 10.3

$1.3 SAR 4.89

$11.75 SAR 44.09

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 SAR 6.51

$1.08 SAR 4.05

$2.68 SAR 10.07

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 SAR 8.02

$1.35 SAR 5.08

$3.26 SAR 12.23

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.6 SAR 28.49

$6.51 SAR 24.41

$9.5 SAR 35.64

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.1 SAR 4.12

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$1.37 SAR 5.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.28 SAR 140

$13.31 SAR 49.94

$55.9 SAR 210

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.61 SAR 9.77

$2.09 SAR 7.83

$5.22 SAR 19.59

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.71 SAR 10.17

$0.81 SAR 3.05

$3.25 SAR 12.19

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.13 SAR 49.26

$7.88 SAR 29.55

$26.26 SAR 98.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.6 SAR 2.25

$0.56 SAR 2.11

$0.61 SAR 2.29

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

$25K SAR 93.6K

$19.6K SAR 73.5K

$38.9K SAR 146.1K

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

$22.5K SAR 84.4K

$20.4K SAR 76.4K

$25.6K SAR 96.1K

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

$108 SAR 406

$67.8 SAR 254

$203 SAR 762

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

$33.01 SAR 124

$19.65 SAR 73.7

$48.21 SAR 181

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.6 SAR 269

$53.4 SAR 200

$98.8 SAR 371

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$95.5 SAR 358

$54.3 SAR 204

$163 SAR 611

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.21 SAR 155

$21.05 SAR 79

$58 SAR 218

Cinema Ticket

$15.87 SAR 59.5

$11.9 SAR 44.63

$21.15 SAR 79.4

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

$357 SAR 1,341

$163 SAR 610

$677 SAR 2,541

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,118 SAR 26.7K

$3,992 SAR 15K

$14.6K SAR 54.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.4 SAR 193

$17.24 SAR 64.7

$106 SAR 398

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.9 SAR 217

$21.08 SAR 79.1

$105 SAR 395

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.2 SAR 350

$52.5 SAR 197

$137 SAR 512

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.9 SAR 311

$39.84 SAR 149

$159 SAR 598

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$494 SAR 1,854

$272 SAR 1,019

$1,222 SAR 4,585

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$402 SAR 1,507

$213 SAR 800

$1,067 SAR 4,001

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$890 SAR 3,337

$481 SAR 1,806

$2,674 SAR 10K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$646 SAR 2,423

$406 SAR 1,521

$1,406 SAR 5,274

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,842 SAR 6,910

$814 SAR 3,052

$3,937 SAR 14.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,132 SAR 4,247

$524 SAR 1,964

$2,274 SAR 8,532

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,142 SAR 8,034

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia is a useful framework to compare neighborhoods, cities, and your lifestyle choices on arrival. In Riyadh or Jeddah, housing and utilities can occupy a larger portion of your budget, while smaller towns tend to be more affordable. You may also see savings from domestic services, moderate grocery costs, and a car-friendly layout. Public transit quality varies, but ride-hailing and well-planned developments ease getting around. Seasonal heat drives cooling needs, yet modern compounds and amenities help keep costs predictable. Optimize your budget with longer leases, shared housing, and shopping at local markets for staples. Tip: Start with a short, flexible lease and compare neighborhoods by commute, amenities, and climate.

Daily life blends modern convenience with regional flavor. You'll find housing options from secure compounds to affordable apartments; seek leases that include utilities or offer flexible terms. Food choices span lively markets, casual eateries, and international supermarkets. Transport leans car-centric in many areas, with ride-hailing and limited public transit as practical options. For work or study, co-working spaces and cafes can be your go-to spots. Plan errands around prayer times and traffic rhythms. Having visibility into Saudi Arabia living cost helps you budget for housing, groceries, and utilities as you plan a stay. Tip: Map out a few reliable neighborhoods and set up a tour before you commit to a lease.

Quality of life in Saudi Arabia often comes from neighborhood fit, daily routines, and smart budgeting. Use a simple framework: essentials, flexible extras, and savings. Look for neighborhoods with good services, green spaces, and walkable streets that fit your pace. Be mindful of climate-driven energy use in summer; choosing energy-efficient housing and sensible cooling can keep bills reasonable. Balance dining out with market purchases and home cooking, and leverage coworking spaces to manage work-life balance. If you travel seasonally, plan trips during shoulder periods when crowds and prices ease. Tip: Prioritize areas with easy access to supermarkets, healthcare, and safe public spaces to reduce errand time.