Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Saudi Arabia
Address: SA

Monthly Cost of Living

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,178 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,800 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,422 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

Living costs in Saudi Arabia vary widely – from $918 in more affordable cities to $1,790 in major hubs, spanning a $872 range across 33 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.60 SAR 24.76

$3.97 SAR 14.87

$13.21 SAR 49.52

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.41 SAR 152

$26.93 SAR 101

$81.7 SAR 306

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.02 SAR 30.08

$6.69 SAR 25.07

$9.37 SAR 35.12

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.84 SAR 6.92

$1.06 SAR 3.96

$3.16 SAR 11.84

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 SAR 7.16

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$3.27 SAR 12.26

Cappuccino

$3.65 SAR 13.67

$1.61 SAR 6.03

$6.03 SAR 22.60

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)

$0.25 SAR 0.94

$0.14 SAR 0.54

$0.51 SAR 1.91

Milk (1 liter)

$1.67 SAR 6.25

$1.31 SAR 4.92

$2.37 SAR 8.87

White Bread (500g)

$1.03 SAR 3.86

$0.28 SAR 1.04

$1.92 SAR 7.22

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 SAR 8.06

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.85 SAR 10.69

Eggs

$2.57 SAR 9.63

$1.62 SAR 6.09

$4.87 SAR 18.27

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.38 SAR 27.68

$4.05 SAR 15.19

$16.19 SAR 60.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.26 SAR 30.97

$4.09 SAR 15.33

$12.26 SAR 45.96

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.81 SAR 48.04

$7.84 SAR 29.39

$18.29 SAR 68.6

Apples (1kg)

$2.15 SAR 8.07

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$3.17 SAR 11.90

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 SAR 6.09

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$2.63 SAR 9.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 SAR 6.41

$0.82 SAR 3.09

$2.74 SAR 10.27

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 SAR 5.96

$0.79 SAR 2.98

$2.38 SAR 8.94

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 SAR 4.77

$0.70 SAR 2.62

$2.07 SAR 7.75

Onion (1kg)

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$0.78 SAR 2.94

$2.09 SAR 7.83

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 SAR 4.51

$0.39 SAR 1.48

$2.36 SAR 8.86

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.62 SAR 2.31

$0.42 SAR 1.57

$1.12 SAR 4.20

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.08 SAR 15.31

$1.31 SAR 4.89

$11.78 SAR 44.16

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 SAR 6.58

$1.09 SAR 4.09

$2.71 SAR 10.17

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 SAR 8.10

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.29 SAR 12.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.36 SAR 27.61

$6.31 SAR 23.65

$9.21 SAR 34.53

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.95

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$1.31 SAR 4.91

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.94 SAR 139

$13.19 SAR 49.47

$55.4 SAR 208

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 SAR 10.06

$2.15 SAR 8.06

$5.38 SAR 20.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.65 SAR 9.95

$0.80 SAR 2.98

$3.18 SAR 11.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.54 SAR 50.8

$8.12 SAR 30.45

$27.08 SAR 102

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.59 SAR 2.22

$0.55 SAR 2.08

$0.60 SAR 2.26

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

$25.1K SAR 94.0K

$19.7K SAR 73.8K

$39.1K SAR 146.7K

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

$22.0K SAR 82.5K

$19.9K SAR 74.7K

$25.1K SAR 94.0K

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

$105 SAR 394

$65.7 SAR 246

$197 SAR 739

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

$33.52 SAR 126

$19.96 SAR 74.8

$48.96 SAR 184

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.7 SAR 273

$54.2 SAR 203

$100 SAR 376

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$95.3 SAR 357

$54.2 SAR 203

$163 SAR 610

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.38 SAR 155

$21.14 SAR 79.3

$58.3 SAR 219

Cinema Ticket

$16.21 SAR 60.8

$12.15 SAR 45.58

$21.61 SAR 81.0

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

$352 SAR 1,322

$160 SAR 601

$668 SAR 2,504

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,166 SAR 26.9K

$4,019 SAR 15.1K

$14.7K SAR 55.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 SAR 194

$17.36 SAR 65.1

$107 SAR 401

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.3 SAR 222

$21.58 SAR 80.9

$108 SAR 405

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.8 SAR 352

$52.8 SAR 198

$137 SAR 515

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.1 SAR 308

$39.43 SAR 148

$158 SAR 591

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$476 SAR 1,783

$261 SAR 980

$1,176 SAR 4,410

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$407 SAR 1,527

$216 SAR 811

$1,081 SAR 4,054

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$885 SAR 3,320

$479 SAR 1,796

$2,661 SAR 9,980

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$634 SAR 2,379

$398 SAR 1,494

$1,381 SAR 5,178

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,303 SAR 8,636

$1,121 SAR 4,203

$4,963 SAR 18.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,278 SAR 4,793

$672 SAR 2,518

$2,955 SAR 11.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,034 SAR 7,626

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Last update: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $418 across Saudi Arabia. For reference, capital rent is $1,103 in Riyadh, and $216 in Taif.

National average salary: $2,012. With average costs at $1,178, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $195 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $40.00 for two.

In Riyadh (capital), expect about $1,790 per month, while Taif offers the lowest costs at $918 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,178) is 12% below the global median of $1,339.

Average rent ($418) is 33% below the global median of $625.

Dining out ($40.00) is 17% below the global median of $48.00.

Public transport ($40.00) is 21% above the global median of $33.00.

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	$685	$966	$1,477	$2,033	180.15	174.59
2	Abha	236157	57	$774	$1,141	$2,084	$2,643	250.91	174.02
3	Ad Dammam	903312	61	$712	$1,237	$1,758	$2,574	240.4	192.9
4	Al Hufuf	660788	52	$717	$1,033	$1,656	$2,189	204.55	135.41
5	Al Khobar	219679	67	$821	$1,341	$2,028	$2,931	246.03	199.81
6	Al Majma'ah	-	62	$756	$1,224	$1,876	$2,631	-	-
7	Al Mubarraz	-	64	$814	$1,280	$1,629	$2,580	241.45	135.41
8	Al-Ula	32413	61	$789	$1,217	$1,802	$2,485	354.74	115.6
9	Al-hawiyah	148151	61	$693	$1,233	$1,926	$2,541	174.49	175.62
10	Ar-rass	121359	58	$691	$1,166	$1,775	$2,350	92.67	84.67
11	Arar	167057	61	$751	$1,198	$1,802	$2,488	78.9	149.79
12	Buraydah	467410	60	$887	$1,198	$2,090	$2,720	115.44	148.12
13	Dammam	903312	61	$735	$1,238	$1,738	$2,458	25.38	192.9
14	Dhahran	120521	66	$802	$1,326	$2,121	$2,637	172.49	232.13
15	Ha'il	310897	51	$597	$1,024	$1,308	$1,925	62.88	171.2
16	Hafar Al Batin	271642	60	$794	$1,225	$1,806	$2,392	167.06	162.93
17	Jeddah	3430697	61	$738	$1,207	$1,767	$2,494	28.17	202.02
18	Jizan	127743	51	$593	$1,005	$1,696	$2,185	64.46	103.14
19	Jubail	337778	53	$697	$1,050	$1,681	$2,251	149.89	178.69
20	Khafji	67012	59	$660	$1,165	$1,523	$2,506	6.84	162.2
21	Khamis Mushayt	430828	48	$779	$980	$1,774	$2,169	18.33	168.41
22	Mecca	1675368	53	$632	$1,056	$1,853	$2,733	18.99	176.49
23	Medina	1100093	74	$655	$1,468	$1,414	$2,204	281.74	191.79
24	Najran	298288	53	$770	$1,056	$1,471	$2,259	9.39	140.68
25	Qatif	87332	54	$729	$1,055	$1,812	$2,301	56.07	175.27
26	Rabigh	92072	57	$683	$1,163	$1,395	$2,243	297.26	89.29
27	Riyadh	5188286	89	$804	$1,790	$2,045	$3,249	160.2	207.47
28	Sakakah	242813	59	$710	$1,192	$1,600	$2,100	98.72	107.34
29	Tabuk	512629	67	$845	$1,345	$1,943	$2,699	117.63	178.85
30	Taif	579970	46	$648	$918	$1,405	$2,006	231.07	195.61
31	Umluj	37757	61	$706	$1,237	$1,844	$2,460	182.97	135.05
32	Unaizah	163729	58	$702	$1,146	$1,782	$2,402	147.56	146
33	Yanbu	233236	50	$592	$986	$1,365	$2,081	208.06	173.79

Saudi Arabia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 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.

By international standards, Saudi Arabia is moderately priced. Smaller cities offer better deals, while capitals run higher. Most visitors and residents find costs manageable without extreme budgeting.

As of 2026, living expenses in Saudi Arabia span $918 to $1,790 monthly. Capitals and tourist hotspots sit at the top end; provincial towns offer substantially cheaper living.

Outside the capital and tourist areas, costs in Saudi Arabia drop fast. Taif is one of the best budget options – lower costs without giving up access to essential services and everyday amenities.

$700 supports a modest but comfortable life in Saudi Arabia's smaller cities, but feels tight in Riyadh. Rent is the deciding factor – keep housing costs low and the rest of the budget opens up.

Living costs in Saudi Arabia are average by world standards. Regional cities offer better value than Riyadh, and most residents with steady jobs or remote income find things manageable.