Last update: Oct 2026 33M

Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia

Name: Saudi Arabia
Address: SA

Across Saudi Arabia, living costs for one person average $1,260 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $24 a day.

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🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Saudi Arabia

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Saudi Arabia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Average monthly costs for a single person come to about $1,260 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

$1,260 /mo

Estimated average monthly cost for a couple: $1,881 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

$1,881 /mo

Average monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,503 including rent across Saudi Arabia.

$2,503 /mo

Living costs in Saudi Arabia vary widely – from $674 in the most affordable city to $1,740 in the most expensive one, spanning a $1,066 range across 33 cities.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.67 SAR 25.01

$4.01 SAR 15.03

$13.34 SAR 50.1

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.35 SAR 148

$26.23 SAR 98.4

$94.4 SAR 354

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.89 SAR 29.62

$6.58 SAR 24.68

$9.21 SAR 34.57

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.93 SAR 7.25

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$3.87 SAR 14.54

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 SAR 7.90

$1.36 SAR 5.10

$4.08 SAR 15.29

Cappuccino

$3.77 SAR 14.16

$1.63 SAR 6.13

$5.46 SAR 20.49

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

$0.78 SAR 2.92

$0.68 SAR 2.53

$1.36 SAR 5.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.27 SAR 1.02

$0.19 SAR 0.70

$0.42 SAR 1.56

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 SAR 6.36

$1.30 SAR 4.89

$2.61 SAR 9.78

White Bread (500g)

$1.05 SAR 3.95

$0.26 SAR 0.99

$2.08 SAR 7.80

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.15 SAR 8.07

$1.32 SAR 4.94

$3.16 SAR 11.86

Eggs

$2.57 SAR 9.64

$1.58 SAR 5.94

$4.13 SAR 15.51

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.54 SAR 28.29

$4.05 SAR 15.21

$16.19 SAR 60.8

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.85 SAR 29.45

$3.91 SAR 14.69

$11.73 SAR 44.03

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.45 SAR 50.5

$8.09 SAR 30.34

$18.87 SAR 70.8

Apples (1kg)

$2.21 SAR 8.31

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$3.21 SAR 12.05

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 SAR 6.35

$1.29 SAR 4.85

$2.59 SAR 9.71

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 SAR 6.37

$1.03 SAR 3.86

$3.10 SAR 11.62

Tomato (1kg)

$1.68 SAR 6.32

$0.82 SAR 3.08

$2.73 SAR 10.25

Potato (1kg)

$1.29 SAR 4.84

$0.78 SAR 2.93

$2.08 SAR 7.81

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 SAR 5.02

$0.79 SAR 2.95

$2.61 SAR 9.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.27 SAR 4.77

$0.41 SAR 1.53

$2.43 SAR 9.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 SAR 2.14

$0.39 SAR 1.45

$1.02 SAR 3.84

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$4.16 SAR 15.63

$1.33 SAR 5.01

$12.80 SAR 48.02

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.65 SAR 6.21

$1.05 SAR 3.94

$2.40 SAR 9.00

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 SAR 8.48

$1.37 SAR 5.13

$3.28 SAR 12.30

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.30 SAR 27.39

$6.26 SAR 23.49

$9.12 SAR 34.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.09 SAR 4.09

$0.94 SAR 3.55

$1.37 SAR 5.13

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.60 SAR 137

$22.73 SAR 85.3

$66.7 SAR 250

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 SAR 10.04

$2.14 SAR 8.04

$5.34 SAR 20.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.71 SAR 10.17

$0.82 SAR 3.06

$3.25 SAR 12.20

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.22 SAR 49.62

$7.93 SAR 29.76

$26.44 SAR 99.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.64 SAR 2.41

$0.60 SAR 2.26

$0.64 SAR 2.41

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

$30.5K SAR 114.4K

$26.3K SAR 98.7K

$66.6K SAR 249.9K

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

$21.2K SAR 79.6K

$20.7K SAR 77.8K

$21.8K SAR 81.8K

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

$99.3 SAR 373

$61.2 SAR 230

$203 SAR 760

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

$32.00 SAR 120

$18.72 SAR 70.3

$53.5 SAR 201

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.8 SAR 251

$52.2 SAR 196

$91.4 SAR 343

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$84.6 SAR 318

$52.9 SAR 198

$159 SAR 595

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$38.87 SAR 146

$20.11 SAR 75.5

$56.4 SAR 212

Cinema Ticket

$13.70 SAR 51.4

$10.53 SAR 39.53

$21.07 SAR 79.1

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

$429 SAR 1,611

$189 SAR 708

$836 SAR 3,135

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,059 SAR 34.0K

$4,000 SAR 15.0K

$19.2K SAR 72.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.30 SAR 181

$17.41 SAR 65.3

$107 SAR 402

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.8 SAR 209

$26.35 SAR 98.9

$92.2 SAR 346

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.9 SAR 333

$53.2 SAR 200

$133 SAR 499

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.2 SAR 320

$46.03 SAR 173

$132 SAR 494

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$614 SAR 2,304

$268 SAR 1,005

$1,339 SAR 5,026

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$438 SAR 1,642

$240 SAR 901

$1,068 SAR 4,006

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$949 SAR 3,562

$470 SAR 1,763

$2,480 SAR 9,306

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$663 SAR 2,489

$399 SAR 1,499

$1,385 SAR 5,196

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,278 SAR 8,548

$1,042 SAR 3,910

$4,846 SAR 18.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,377 SAR 5,166

$642 SAR 2,408

$3,058 SAR 11.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,910 SAR 7,167

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.4

6.5

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

Last update: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Saudi Arabia $1,260

Accommodation & Living

$438 34.7%

Groceries & Markets

$203 16.2%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$198 15.7%

Eating Out

$126 10%

Clothing & Footwear

$125 9.9%

Sport & Entertainment

$112 8.9%

Getting Around

$57 4.5%

Cost Breakdown

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: $545 in Saudi Arabia. For reference, capital rent is $1,170 in Riyadh, and $674 in Khafji.

National average salary: $1,954. With average costs at $1,260, the salary-to-cost ratio is favorable for most workers.

Expect to spend about $202 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant averages $40.00 for two.

In Riyadh (capital), expect about $1,740 per month, while Khafji offers the lowest costs at $674 – which city you pick has a tangible effect on the budget.

Cost Highlights

Overall cost of living ($1,260) is 7% below the global median of $1,355.

Average rent ($545) is 18% below the global median of $663.

Dinner for two at a restaurant ($40.00) is 17% below the global median of $48.00.

Good to know

🕒 Local time

20:06 8:06 PM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

33,000,000

💱 Currency

Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س

📈 Exchange rate

1 SAR = 0.266 USD

1 SAR = 0.237 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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	51	$722	$1,062	$1,790	$2,453	250.91	174.02
2	Ad Dammam	903312	58	$698	$1,190	$1,656	$2,445	240.4	192.9
3	Al Hufuf	660788	54	$646	$1,107	$1,590	$2,214	204.55	135.41
4	AL Kharj	425300	46	$591	$956	$1,408	$1,983	180.15	174.59
5	Al Khobar	219679	68	$803	$1,405	$2,001	$2,975	246.03	199.81
6	Al Majma'ah	-	61	$786	$1,261	$1,966	$2,654	-	-
7	Al Mubarraz	290802	61	$789	$1,275	$1,843	$2,527	241.45	135.41
8	Al-hawiyah	148151	52	$638	$1,043	$1,463	$2,093	174.49	175.62
9	Al-Ula	32413	57	$702	$1,193	$1,652	$2,346	354.74	115.6
10	Ar-rass	121359	54	$650	$1,092	$1,549	$2,293	92.67	84.67
11	Arar	167057	57	$703	$1,141	$1,678	$2,298	78.9	149.79
12	Buraydah	467410	60	$821	$1,230	$1,940	$2,836	115.44	148.12
13	Dammam	903312	59	$735	$1,215	$1,757	$2,497	25.38	192.9
14	Dhahran	120521	64	$802	$1,319	$1,961	$2,021	172.49	232.13
15	Ha'il	310897	50	$619	$1,049	$1,512	$2,140	62.88	171.2
16	Hafar Al Batin	271642	57	$731	$1,234	$1,715	$2,398	167.06	162.93
17	Jeddah	3430697	66	$753	$1,378	$1,999	$2,931	28.17	202.02
18	Jizan	127743	45	$696	$935	$1,667	$2,136	64.46	103.14
19	Jubail	337778	53	$718	$1,093	$1,726	$2,328	149.89	178.69
20	Khafji	67012	33	$543	$674	$1,309	$1,440	6.84	162.2
21	Khamis Mushayt	430828	55	$665	$1,191	$1,538	$2,165	18.33	168.41
22	Mecca	1675368	45	$575	$924	$1,370	$1,975	18.99	176.49
23	Medina	1100093	65	$669	$1,338	$1,526	$2,238	281.74	191.79
24	Najran	298288	59	$750	$1,241	$1,828	$2,502	9.39	140.68
25	Qatif	87332	53	$629	$1,099	$1,504	$2,186	56.07	175.27
26	Rabigh	92072	46	$646	$950	$1,477	$1,965	297.26	89.29
27	Riyadh	5188286	84	$798	$1,740	$2,052	$3,378	160.2	207.47
28	Sakakah	242813	57	$701	$1,164	$1,649	$2,307	98.72	107.34
29	Tabuk	512629	59	$753	$1,235	$1,719	$2,435	117.63	178.85
30	Taif	579970	60	$736	$1,255	$1,721	$2,434	231.07	195.61
31	Umluj	37757	57	$691	$1,158	$1,602	$2,274	182.97	135.05
32	Unaizah	163729	55	$672	$1,133	$1,608	$2,344	147.56	146
33	Yanbu	233236	49	$721	$1,020	$1,711	$2,230	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 $674 to $1,740 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. Khafji 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 the smaller cities of Saudi Arabia, 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.