Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Saudi Arabia
Address: SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $736 (excluding rent), and $1,247 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,775 (excluding rent), and $2,522 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.8 SAR 25.52

$4.08 SAR 15.32

$13.6 SAR 51

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.24 SAR 151

$26.82 SAR 101

$81.3 SAR 305

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.96 SAR 29.89

$6.64 SAR 24.91

$9.3 SAR 34.9

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.92 SAR 7.22

$1.1 SAR 4.13

$3.29 SAR 12.36

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 SAR 7.16

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$3.27 SAR 12.25

Cappuccino

$3.74 SAR 14.02

$1.65 SAR 6.18

$6.18 SAR 23.18

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

$0.77 SAR 2.89

$0.7 SAR 2.61

$1.11 SAR 4.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$0.16 SAR 0.59

$0.56 SAR 2.09

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 SAR 6.19

$1.3 SAR 4.87

$2.34 SAR 8.8

White Bread (500g)

$0.99 SAR 3.7

$0.27 SAR 1

$1.84 SAR 6.92

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 SAR 8.52

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.01 SAR 11.3

Eggs

$2.57 SAR 9.64

$1.62 SAR 6.1

$4.87 SAR 18.29

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.44 SAR 27.92

$4.08 SAR 15.32

$16.32 SAR 61.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.24 SAR 30.91

$4.08 SAR 15.3

$12.22 SAR 45.87

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.22 SAR 49.6

$8.09 SAR 30.34

$18.88 SAR 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.22 SAR 8.33

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$3.28 SAR 12.29

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 SAR 6.04

$1.31 SAR 4.9

$2.61 SAR 9.8

Oranges (1kg)

$1.7 SAR 6.37

$0.82 SAR 3.07

$2.72 SAR 10.21

Tomato (1kg)

$1.57 SAR 5.88

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$2.35 SAR 8.81

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 SAR 4.84

$0.71 SAR 2.66

$2.1 SAR 7.87

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)

$0.57 SAR 2.14

$0.39 SAR 1.45

$1.04 SAR 3.89

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.08 SAR 15.33

$1.31 SAR 4.9

$11.77 SAR 44.17

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 SAR 6.52

$1.08 SAR 4.06

$2.69 SAR 10.09

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 SAR 8.07

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$3.28 SAR 12.3

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.48 SAR 28.08

$6.41 SAR 24.05

$9.36 SAR 35.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 SAR 4.09

$0.82 SAR 3.06

$1.36 SAR 5.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.96 SAR 142

$13.56 SAR 50.9

$56.9 SAR 214

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.61 SAR 9.8

$2.09 SAR 7.85

$5.23 SAR 19.64

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.66 SAR 9.97

$0.8 SAR 2.99

$3.18 SAR 11.95

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.29 SAR 49.85

$7.97 SAR 29.9

$26.57 SAR 99.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 SAR 2.23

$0.55 SAR 2.08

$0.6 SAR 2.26

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

$25.7K SAR 96.5K

$20.2K SAR 75.8K

$40.1K SAR 150.6K

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

$22.2K SAR 83.3K

$20.1K SAR 75.5K

$25.3K SAR 94.9K

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

$105 SAR 395

$65.8 SAR 247

$197 SAR 741

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

$33.39 SAR 125

$19.88 SAR 74.6

$48.77 SAR 183

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.6 SAR 269

$53.4 SAR 200

$98.8 SAR 371

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$93 SAR 349

$52.9 SAR 199

$159 SAR 596

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.37 SAR 155

$21.13 SAR 79.3

$58.3 SAR 219

Cinema Ticket

$15.87 SAR 59.6

$11.9 SAR 44.65

$21.16 SAR 79.4

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

$351 SAR 1,315

$159 SAR 598

$664 SAR 2,492

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,182 SAR 27K

$4,028 SAR 15.1K

$14.8K SAR 55.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52 SAR 195

$17.43 SAR 65.4

$107 SAR 403

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.9 SAR 221

$21.43 SAR 80.4

$107 SAR 402

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96 SAR 360

$54.1 SAR 203

$141 SAR 527

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.9 SAR 311

$39.8 SAR 149

$159 SAR 597

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$479 SAR 1,798

$263 SAR 988

$1,185 SAR 4,446

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$409 SAR 1,533

$217 SAR 814

$1,084 SAR 4,069

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$889 SAR 3,336

$481 SAR 1,805

$2,672 SAR 10K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$624 SAR 2,343

$392 SAR 1,471

$1,359 SAR 5,100

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,122 SAR 7,963

$1,033 SAR 3,875

$3,949 SAR 14.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,295 SAR 4,860

$657 SAR 2,466

$2,915 SAR 10.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,049 SAR 7,688

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.