Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Saudi Arabia
Address: SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $738 (excluding rent), and $1,272 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,778 (excluding rent), and $2,569 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.79 SAR 25.46

$4.08 SAR 15.29

$13.58 SAR 50.9

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.59 SAR 152

$27.05 SAR 101

$82.0 SAR 308

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.11 SAR 30.40

$6.76 SAR 25.34

$9.47 SAR 35.50

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.91 SAR 7.17

$1.09 SAR 4.10

$3.27 SAR 12.26

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.81 SAR 6.80

$1.29 SAR 4.84

$3.10 SAR 11.64

Cappuccino

$3.59 SAR 13.47

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$5.94 SAR 22.26

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

$0.73 SAR 2.73

$0.66 SAR 2.47

$1.05 SAR 3.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$0.16 SAR 0.59

$0.55 SAR 2.07

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 SAR 6.41

$1.34 SAR 5.04

$2.43 SAR 9.10

White Bread (500g)

$0.98 SAR 3.67

$0.26 SAR 0.99

$1.83 SAR 6.87

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.20 SAR 8.23

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$2.91 SAR 10.92

Eggs

$2.47 SAR 9.25

$1.56 SAR 5.85

$4.68 SAR 17.55

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.20 SAR 27.01

$3.95 SAR 14.82

$15.80 SAR 59.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.10 SAR 30.36

$4.01 SAR 15.03

$12.01 SAR 45.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.24 SAR 49.63

$8.10 SAR 30.36

$18.90 SAR 70.9

Apples (1kg)

$2.22 SAR 8.34

$1.36 SAR 5.11

$3.28 SAR 12.30

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 SAR 6.31

$1.37 SAR 5.12

$2.73 SAR 10.24

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 SAR 6.05

$0.78 SAR 2.91

$2.58 SAR 9.69

Tomato (1kg)

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$2.46 SAR 9.23

Potato (1kg)

$1.35 SAR 5.05

$0.74 SAR 2.78

$2.19 SAR 8.22

Onion (1kg)

$1.35 SAR 5.05

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.16 SAR 8.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.23 SAR 4.62

$0.40 SAR 1.52

$2.43 SAR 9.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 SAR 2.14

$0.39 SAR 1.45

$1.03 SAR 3.88

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.14 SAR 15.51

$1.32 SAR 4.96

$12.72 SAR 47.68

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 SAR 6.56

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$2.71 SAR 10.15

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 SAR 8.04

$1.36 SAR 5.09

$3.27 SAR 12.25

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.66 SAR 28.74

$6.56 SAR 24.62

$9.58 SAR 35.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.10 SAR 4.13

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$1.37 SAR 5.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.67 SAR 141

$13.45 SAR 50.5

$56.5 SAR 212

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.62 SAR 9.81

$2.10 SAR 7.86

$5.24 SAR 19.66

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.62 SAR 9.82

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$3.14 SAR 11.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.12 SAR 49.22

$7.87 SAR 29.52

$26.25 SAR 98.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.25

$0.56 SAR 2.10

$0.61 SAR 2.28

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

$25.7K SAR 96.5K

$20.2K SAR 75.8K

$40.1K SAR 150.5K

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

$22.5K SAR 84.6K

$20.4K SAR 76.6K

$25.7K SAR 96.3K

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

$107 SAR 403

$67.2 SAR 252

$202 SAR 756

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

$33.37 SAR 125

$19.87 SAR 74.5

$48.75 SAR 183

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.6 SAR 265

$52.6 SAR 197

$97.4 SAR 365

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$93.6 SAR 351

$53.2 SAR 200

$160 SAR 599

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.35 SAR 159

$21.63 SAR 81.1

$59.6 SAR 224

Cinema Ticket

$16.03 SAR 60.1

$12.02 SAR 45.08

$21.38 SAR 80.2

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

$350 SAR 1,312

$159 SAR 597

$663 SAR 2,487

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,092 SAR 26.6K

$3,978 SAR 14.9K

$14.6K SAR 54.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.9 SAR 195

$17.41 SAR 65.3

$107 SAR 402

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.1 SAR 222

$21.53 SAR 80.7

$108 SAR 404

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.8 SAR 355

$53.4 SAR 200

$139 SAR 520

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$83.2 SAR 312

$39.94 SAR 150

$160 SAR 599

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$488 SAR 1,830

$268 SAR 1,006

$1,207 SAR 4,526

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$395 SAR 1,482

$210 SAR 787

$1,049 SAR 3,933

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$869 SAR 3,259

$470 SAR 1,763

$2,612 SAR 9,795

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$630 SAR 2,364

$396 SAR 1,484

$1,372 SAR 5,145

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,249 SAR 8,432

$1,105 SAR 4,143

$4,893 SAR 18.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,278 SAR 4,793

$677 SAR 2,540

$2,980 SAR 11.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,046 SAR 7,672

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Last update: February 28, 2026

By City in Saudi Arabia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
1	AL Kharj	-	48	$626	$944	$1,340	$2,056	262.59	167.84
2	Abha	236157	57	$905	$1,118	$1,786	$2,625	237.55	150.47
3	Ad Dammam	903312	61	$726	$1,199	$1,801	$2,496	38.92	191.37
4	Al Hufuf	660788	52	$661	$1,028	$1,597	$2,184	321.18	138.78
5	Al Khobar	219679	67	$817	$1,324	$2,027	$2,969	44.29	197.48
6	Al Majma'ah	-	62	$653	$1,252	$1,927	$2,581	-	-
7	Al Mubarraz	-	64	$776	$1,281	$1,984	$2,614	255.62	138.78
8	Al-Ula	32413	61	$748	$1,222	$2,013	$2,539	368.78	71.32
9	Al-hawiyah	148151	61	$655	$1,218	$2,008	$2,449	255.62	138.02
10	Ar-rass	121359	58	$695	$1,188	$1,882	$2,408	130.41	96.81
11	Arar	167057	61	$779	$1,203	$1,913	$2,476	112.29	153.64
12	Buraydah	467410	60	$826	$1,191	$1,766	$2,706	112.47	156.44
13	Dammam	903312	61	$746	$1,242	$1,763	$2,459	25.84	191.37
14	Dhahran	120521	66	$877	$1,337	$2,189	$2,703	207.04	213.98
15	Ha'il	310897	51	$599	$1,038	$1,470	$1,928	74.22	170.19
16	Hafar Al Batin	271642	60	$702	$1,206	$1,473	$2,337	43.91	160.48
17	Jeddah	3430697	61	$717	$1,234	$1,793	$2,468	98.88	194.69
18	Jizan	127743	51	$726	$998	$1,751	$2,159	139.02	119.6
19	Jubail	337778	53	$680	$1,075	$1,652	$2,237	23.56	171.09
20	Khafji	67012	59	$750	$1,160	$1,496	$2,497	53.54	177.2
21	Khamis Mushayt	430828	48	$723	$970	$1,644	$2,241	13.98	149.84
22	Mecca	1675368	53	$662	$1,052	$1,565	$2,767	84.22	155.27
23	Medina	1100093	74	$641	$1,442	$1,723	$2,240	92.02	194.47
24	Najran	298288	53	$780	$1,060	$1,714	$2,244	10.99	105.87
25	Qatif	87332	54	$579	$1,067	$1,698	$2,284	247.06	177.42
26	Rabigh	92072	57	$687	$1,122	$1,429	$2,192	89.15	72.86
27	Riyadh	5188286	89	$805	$1,742	$1,996	$3,247	206.34	206.55
28	Sakakah	242813	59	$660	$1,168	$1,855	$2,104	90.05	107.93
29	Tabuk	512629	67	$707	$1,340	$1,780	$2,753	25.06	172.26
30	Taif	579970	46	$696	$916	$1,396	$1,977	181.01	180.32
31	Umluj	37757	61	$665	$1,211	$1,951	$2,482	172.45	63.94
32	Unaizah	163729	58	$661	$1,155	$1,474	$2,358	42.22	132.15
33	Yanbu	233236	50	$611	$982	$1,572	$2,030	58.01	168.84

Saudi Arabia Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 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

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.