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 $1,171 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 $2,428 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

Living costs in Saudi Arabia vary widely – from $891 in more affordable cities to $1,777 in major hubs, spanning a $886 range across 33 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.60 SAR 24.78

$3.97 SAR 14.88

$13.21 SAR 49.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.39 SAR 152

$26.92 SAR 101

$81.6 SAR 306

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.13 SAR 30.51

$6.78 SAR 25.43

$9.49 SAR 35.62

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.91 SAR 7.17

$1.09 SAR 4.10

$3.27 SAR 12.27

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.86 SAR 6.96

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$3.17 SAR 11.91

Cappuccino

$3.67 SAR 13.78

$1.62 SAR 6.07

$6.07 SAR 22.78

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

$0.72 SAR 2.69

$0.65 SAR 2.44

$1.04 SAR 3.89

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$0.16 SAR 0.59

$0.55 SAR 2.08

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 7.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.19 SAR 8.23

$1.32 SAR 4.95

$2.91 SAR 10.91

Eggs

$2.60 SAR 9.75

$1.64 SAR 6.16

$4.93 SAR 18.49

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.42 SAR 27.84

$4.07 SAR 15.27

$16.27 SAR 61.1

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.11 SAR 30.42

$4.01 SAR 15.06

$12.03 SAR 45.14

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.21 SAR 49.56

$8.08 SAR 30.32

$18.86 SAR 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.20 SAR 8.26

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$3.25 SAR 12.18

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 SAR 6.23

$1.35 SAR 5.05

$2.69 SAR 10.10

Oranges (1kg)

$1.68 SAR 6.30

$0.81 SAR 3.04

$2.69 SAR 10.09

Tomato (1kg)

$1.63 SAR 6.10

$0.81 SAR 3.05

$2.44 SAR 9.16

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 SAR 4.77

$0.70 SAR 2.62

$2.07 SAR 7.76

Onion (1kg)

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.08 SAR 7.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.25 SAR 4.70

$0.41 SAR 1.54

$2.46 SAR 9.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 SAR 2.28

$0.41 SAR 1.55

$1.10 SAR 4.14

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.28 SAR 16.05

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$10.96 SAR 41.13

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)

$2.05 SAR 7.71

$1.30 SAR 4.88

$3.13 SAR 11.74

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.27 SAR 27.26

$6.22 SAR 23.35

$9.09 SAR 34.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.05 SAR 3.94

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$1.31 SAR 4.90

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.00 SAR 139

$13.21 SAR 49.58

$55.5 SAR 208

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.71 SAR 10.15

$2.17 SAR 8.13

$5.42 SAR 20.34

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.68 SAR 10.06

$0.80 SAR 3.01

$3.21 SAR 12.06

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.47 SAR 50.5

$8.08 SAR 30.31

$26.94 SAR 101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.61 SAR 2.28

$0.57 SAR 2.14

$0.62 SAR 2.32

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

$25.8K SAR 96.8K

$20.3K SAR 76.1K

$40.3K SAR 151.1K

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

$21.8K SAR 82.0K

$19.8K SAR 74.2K

$24.9K SAR 93.4K

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

$107 SAR 401

$66.8 SAR 251

$200 SAR 752

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

$32.98 SAR 124

$19.63 SAR 73.7

$48.17 SAR 181

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71.4 SAR 268

$53.3 SAR 200

$98.6 SAR 370

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$92.4 SAR 347

$52.6 SAR 197

$158 SAR 592

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.68 SAR 156

$21.29 SAR 79.9

$58.7 SAR 220

Cinema Ticket

$16.15 SAR 60.6

$12.11 SAR 45.43

$21.53 SAR 80.8

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

$354 SAR 1,330

$161 SAR 605

$671 SAR 2,519

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,046 SAR 26.4K

$3,952 SAR 14.8K

$14.5K SAR 54.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.4 SAR 193

$17.24 SAR 64.7

$106 SAR 398

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$58.5 SAR 219

$21.29 SAR 79.9

$106 SAR 399

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.5 SAR 351

$52.7 SAR 198

$137 SAR 514

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.1 SAR 308

$39.43 SAR 148

$158 SAR 592

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$486 SAR 1,824

$267 SAR 1,002

$1,202 SAR 4,511

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$396 SAR 1,487

$210 SAR 789

$1,052 SAR 3,946

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$872 SAR 3,274

$472 SAR 1,771

$2,622 SAR 9,839

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$628 SAR 2,357

$394 SAR 1,480

$1,367 SAR 5,131

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,262 SAR 8,486

$1,062 SAR 3,987

$4,940 SAR 18.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,221 SAR 4,582

$631 SAR 2,367

$2,875 SAR 10.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,959 SAR 7,352

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.65

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

Last update: June 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $419 across Saudi Arabia. For reference, capital rent is $1,072 in Riyadh, and $216 in Taif.

National average salary: $1,988. With average costs at $1,171, 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 $1,777 per month, while Taif offers the lowest costs at $891 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($1,171) is 12% below the global median of $1,333.

Average rent ($419) is 33% below the global median of $624.

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	Abha	236157	57	$693	$1,116	$2,228	$2,707	250.91	174.02
2	Ad Dammam	903312	61	$776	$1,227	$1,891	$2,526	240.4	192.9
3	Al Hufuf	660788	52	$694	$1,021	$1,626	$2,160	204.55	135.41
4	AL Kharj	-	48	$706	$948	$1,522	$2,059	180.15	174.59
5	Al Khobar	219679	67	$850	$1,353	$1,819	$2,870	246.03	199.81
6	Al Majma'ah	-	62	$665	$1,222	$1,639	$2,568	-	-
7	Al Mubarraz	-	64	$731	$1,257	$1,835	$2,628	241.45	135.41
8	Al-hawiyah	148151	61	$719	$1,223	$1,877	$2,512	174.49	175.62
9	Al-Ula	32413	61	$686	$1,238	$1,850	$2,452	354.74	115.6
10	Ar-rass	121359	58	$675	$1,147	$1,640	$2,358	92.67	84.67
11	Arar	167057	61	$665	$1,200	$1,766	$2,453	78.9	149.79
12	Buraydah	467410	60	$796	$1,213	$1,978	$2,768	115.44	148.12
13	Dammam	903312	61	$734	$1,203	$1,765	$2,539	25.38	192.9
14	Dhahran	120521	66	$747	$1,300	$1,943	$2,646	172.49	232.13
15	Ha'il	310897	51	$571	$1,038	$1,579	$1,937	62.88	171.2
16	Hafar Al Batin	271642	60	$702	$1,211	$1,638	$2,388	167.06	162.93
17	Jeddah	3430697	61	$692	$1,201	$1,878	$2,478	28.17	202.02
18	Jizan	127743	51	$665	$1,020	$1,646	$2,215	64.46	103.14
19	Jubail	337778	53	$694	$1,049	$1,425	$2,264	149.89	178.69
20	Khafji	67012	59	$713	$1,188	$1,920	$2,471	6.84	162.2
21	Khamis Mushayt	430828	48	$805	$964	$1,952	$2,232	18.33	168.41
22	Mecca	1675368	53	$605	$1,032	$1,541	$2,821	18.99	176.49
23	Medina	1100093	74	$761	$1,489	$1,364	$2,227	281.74	191.79
24	Najran	298288	53	$833	$1,052	$1,870	$2,280	9.39	140.68
25	Qatif	87332	54	$725	$1,057	$1,778	$2,308	56.07	175.27
26	Rabigh	92072	57	$728	$1,142	$1,623	$2,264	297.26	89.29
27	Riyadh	5188286	89	$936	$1,777	$1,730	$3,269	160.2	207.47
28	Sakakah	242813	59	$609	$1,163	$1,936	$2,076	98.72	107.34
29	Tabuk	512629	67	$887	$1,359	$1,655	$2,712	117.63	178.85
30	Taif	579970	46	$614	$891	$1,693	$2,034	231.07	195.61
31	Umluj	37757	61	$724	$1,208	$1,944	$2,449	182.97	135.05
32	Unaizah	163729	58	$667	$1,148	$1,533	$2,379	147.56	146
33	Yanbu	233236	50	$698	$1,000	$1,391	$2,085	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 $891 to $1,777 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.

$1,000 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.