Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Saudi Arabia
Address: SA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $758 (excluding rent), and $1,251 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,776 (excluding rent), and $2,573 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.63 SAR 24.86

$3.98 SAR 14.93

$13.26 SAR 49.72

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.62 SAR 152

$27.07 SAR 102

$82.1 SAR 308

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.19 SAR 30.70

$6.82 SAR 25.59

$9.56 SAR 35.85

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.85 SAR 6.92

$1.06 SAR 3.96

$3.16 SAR 11.85

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 SAR 7.20

$1.37 SAR 5.12

$3.29 SAR 12.33

Cappuccino

$3.58 SAR 13.43

$1.58 SAR 5.92

$5.92 SAR 22.20

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

$0.77 SAR 2.88

$0.70 SAR 2.61

$1.11 SAR 4.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 SAR 0.93

$0.14 SAR 0.53

$0.50 SAR 1.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 SAR 6.24

$1.31 SAR 4.91

$2.36 SAR 8.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 SAR 3.79

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$1.89 SAR 7.08

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.23 SAR 8.35

$1.34 SAR 5.03

$2.95 SAR 11.07

Eggs

$2.46 SAR 9.22

$1.55 SAR 5.83

$4.66 SAR 17.49

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.32 SAR 27.44

$4.01 SAR 15.05

$16.05 SAR 60.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.86 SAR 29.48

$3.89 SAR 14.59

$11.67 SAR 43.75

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.27 SAR 49.75

$8.12 SAR 30.44

$18.95 SAR 71.1

Apples (1kg)

$2.16 SAR 8.08

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$3.18 SAR 11.92

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 SAR 6.07

$1.31 SAR 4.93

$2.63 SAR 9.85

Oranges (1kg)

$1.68 SAR 6.32

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.70 SAR 10.12

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 SAR 5.86

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.34 SAR 8.78

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 SAR 4.80

$0.70 SAR 2.64

$2.08 SAR 7.81

Onion (1kg)

$1.31 SAR 4.93

$0.79 SAR 2.96

$2.10 SAR 7.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 SAR 4.52

$0.40 SAR 1.48

$2.37 SAR 8.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 SAR 2.29

$0.41 SAR 1.55

$1.11 SAR 4.15

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.27 SAR 16.02

$1.37 SAR 5.12

$13.14 SAR 49.29

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 SAR 6.57

$1.09 SAR 4.08

$2.71 SAR 10.15

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 SAR 8.05

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$3.27 SAR 12.26

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.58 SAR 28.44

$6.50 SAR 24.36

$9.48 SAR 35.57

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 SAR 4.07

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$1.35 SAR 5.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$38.04 SAR 143

$13.58 SAR 50.9

$57.1 SAR 214

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.64 SAR 9.90

$2.11 SAR 7.92

$5.29 SAR 19.83

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.75 SAR 10.31

$0.82 SAR 3.09

$3.30 SAR 12.36

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.58 SAR 50.9

$8.15 SAR 30.55

$27.17 SAR 102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.61 SAR 2.28

$0.57 SAR 2.13

$0.62 SAR 2.31

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

$25.1K SAR 94.3K

$19.7K SAR 74.0K

$39.2K SAR 147.1K

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

$22.5K SAR 84.2K

$20.3K SAR 76.3K

$25.6K SAR 95.9K

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

$106 SAR 396

$66.0 SAR 248

$198 SAR 743

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

$33.40 SAR 125

$19.88 SAR 74.6

$48.79 SAR 183

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.5 SAR 268

$53.3 SAR 200

$98.6 SAR 370

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$92.3 SAR 346

$52.5 SAR 197

$157 SAR 590

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.50 SAR 156

$21.20 SAR 79.5

$58.4 SAR 219

Cinema Ticket

$15.89 SAR 59.6

$11.91 SAR 44.68

$21.19 SAR 79.5

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

$348 SAR 1,305

$158 SAR 594

$660 SAR 2,473

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,989 SAR 26.2K

$3,920 SAR 14.7K

$14.4K SAR 53.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.7 SAR 190

$17.02 SAR 63.8

$105 SAR 393

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.8 SAR 217

$21.03 SAR 78.9

$105 SAR 394

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 SAR 358

$53.7 SAR 202

$140 SAR 524

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$84.6 SAR 317

$40.63 SAR 152

$163 SAR 609

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$480 SAR 1,799

$264 SAR 989

$1,186 SAR 4,449

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$409 SAR 1,534

$217 SAR 815

$1,086 SAR 4,073

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$875 SAR 3,283

$474 SAR 1,776

$2,631 SAR 9,866

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$634 SAR 2,377

$398 SAR 1,493

$1,380 SAR 5,175

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,347 SAR 8,802

$1,135 SAR 4,257

$5,027 SAR 18.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,272 SAR 4,772

$670 SAR 2,511

$2,946 SAR 11.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,020 SAR 7,575

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

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.