Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $756 (excluding rent), and $1,244 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,814 (excluding rent), and $2,533 including rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.76 SAR 25.34
$4.06 SAR 15.22
$13.52 SAR 50.7
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.50 SAR 152
$27.00 SAR 101
$81.9 SAR 307
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.89 SAR 29.59
$6.58 SAR 24.66
$9.21 SAR 34.55
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.90 SAR 7.14
$1.09 SAR 4.08
$3.26 SAR 12.21
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 SAR 7.07
$1.34 SAR 5.03
$3.23 SAR 12.10
Cappuccino
$3.73 SAR 13.99
$1.64 SAR 6.16
$6.16 SAR 23.12
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 SAR 2.87
$0.69 SAR 2.60
$1.11 SAR 4.14
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 SAR 1.01
$0.16 SAR 0.58
$0.55 SAR 2.07
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 SAR 6.18
$1.30 SAR 4.87
$2.34 SAR 8.78
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 SAR 3.65
$0.26 SAR 0.99
$1.82 SAR 6.83
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.24 SAR 8.41
$1.35 SAR 5.06
$2.97 SAR 11.15
Eggs
$2.55 SAR 9.55
$1.61 SAR 6.04
$4.83 SAR 18.12
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.40 SAR 27.74
$4.06 SAR 15.22
$16.23 SAR 60.9
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.90 SAR 29.62
$3.91 SAR 14.67
$11.72 SAR 43.96
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.15 SAR 49.33
$8.05 SAR 30.18
$18.79 SAR 70.4
Apples (1kg)
$2.14 SAR 8.02
$1.31 SAR 4.91
$3.15 SAR 11.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.65 SAR 6.20
$1.34 SAR 5.03
$2.68 SAR 10.06
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 SAR 6.32
$0.81 SAR 3.05
$2.70 SAR 10.13
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 SAR 5.83
$0.78 SAR 2.92
$2.33 SAR 8.75
Potato (1kg)
$1.33 SAR 4.98
$0.73 SAR 2.74
$2.16 SAR 8.09
Onion (1kg)
$1.34 SAR 5.03
$0.81 SAR 3.03
$2.15 SAR 8.06
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.25 SAR 4.69
$0.41 SAR 1.54
$2.46 SAR 9.23
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 SAR 2.15
$0.39 SAR 1.46
$1.04 SAR 3.90
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.09 SAR 15.33
$1.31 SAR 4.90
$12.57 SAR 47.15
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 SAR 6.33
$1.05 SAR 3.94
$2.61 SAR 9.79
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 SAR 7.77
$1.31 SAR 4.92
$3.16 SAR 11.85
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.29 SAR 27.34
$6.25 SAR 23.42
$9.12 SAR 34.20
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.04 SAR 3.92
$0.78 SAR 2.93
$1.30 SAR 4.87
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$37.52 SAR 141
$13.40 SAR 50.2
$56.3 SAR 211
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 SAR 10.06
$2.15 SAR 8.05
$5.37 SAR 20.15
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.63 SAR 9.85
$0.79 SAR 2.95
$3.15 SAR 11.80
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.14 SAR 49.28
$7.88 SAR 29.56
$26.28 SAR 98.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.60 SAR 2.27
$0.57 SAR 2.12
$0.61 SAR 2.30
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K SAR 94.9K
$19.9K SAR 74.5K
$39.5K SAR 148.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K SAR 82.4K
$19.9K SAR 74.7K
$25.0K SAR 93.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 SAR 399
$66.5 SAR 249
$199 SAR 748
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.14 SAR 124
$19.73 SAR 74.0
$48.41 SAR 182
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.1 SAR 267
$53.1 SAR 199
$98.1 SAR 368
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$92.5 SAR 347
$52.6 SAR 197
$158 SAR 592
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.42 SAR 155
$21.16 SAR 79.4
$58.3 SAR 219
Cinema Ticket
$15.88 SAR 59.6
$11.91 SAR 44.66
$21.18 SAR 79.4
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$346 SAR 1,298
$157 SAR 590
$656 SAR 2,460
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,088 SAR 26.6K
$3,975 SAR 14.9K
$14.6K SAR 54.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.4 SAR 196
$17.57 SAR 65.9
$108 SAR 405
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.8 SAR 217
$21.05 SAR 78.9
$105 SAR 395
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.7 SAR 359
$53.9 SAR 202
$140 SAR 526
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.9 SAR 315
$40.29 SAR 151
$161 SAR 604
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$486 SAR 1,824
$267 SAR 1,002
$1,203 SAR 4,510
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$398 SAR 1,493
$211 SAR 793
$1,057 SAR 3,963
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$897 SAR 3,363
$485 SAR 1,820
$2,696 SAR 10.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$630 SAR 2,361
$395 SAR 1,482
$1,370 SAR 5,138
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,251 SAR 8,441
$1,106 SAR 4,148
$4,898 SAR 18.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,254 SAR 4,703
$665 SAR 2,492
$2,924 SAR 11.0K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,086 SAR 7,823
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.65
3
7

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

Last update: March 8, 2026

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Saudi Arabia Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
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
Is Saudi Arabia generally affordable for travelers and expats, and who tends to get the best value for money?
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.
What does a typical day look like for housing, food, transport, and errands in Saudi Arabia for a traveler or remote worker?
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.
What budgeting framework, neighborhood fit, and seasonal considerations help maintain quality of life for a stay in Saudi Arabia?
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.

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