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Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia at a Glance
Your biggest expense will usually be housing. Riyadh tends to be the most expensive, while Jeddah and Dammam offer more affordable options in many areas.
For general planning, a single expat may spend approximately:
- Riyadh: SAR 6,000–9,500/month
- Jeddah: SAR 5,000–8,000/month
- Dammam/Al Khobar: SAR 4,500–8,000/month
A couple may need around:
- Riyadh: SAR 8,000–13,000
- Jeddah: SAR 6,500–10,500
- Dammam/Al Khobar: SAR 6,000–9,500
Families can spend considerably more, especially when private or international school fees are included.
These are planning ranges, not official minimum-income requirements. Your actual costs depend on your accommodation, neighborhood, lifestyle and employer benefits.
Housing and Rent
Housing is where the three cities differ most.
Riyadh
Riyadh generally has the highest rents, particularly in popular areas.
Typical planning ranges:
- Studio/1-bedroom: SAR 20,000–60,000/year
- 2-bedroom: SAR 40,000–90,000+/year
- 3-bedroom: SAR 60,000–120,000+/year
- Premium apartments and compounds: considerably higher
Current rental listings show substantial variation depending on location and property quality.
Jeddah
Jeddah has a wider range of accommodation and can be more affordable than Riyadh.
Typical ranges:
- Studio/1-bedroom: SAR 20,000–45,000/year
- 2-bedroom: SAR 30,000–70,000+/year
- 3-bedroom: SAR 40,000–90,000+/year
Northern Jeddah and premium neighborhoods can be significantly more expensive.
Dammam and Al Khobar
Dammam can offer some of the best housing value, while desirable areas of Al Khobar can cost more.
Typical ranges:
- Studio/1-bedroom: SAR 15,000–35,000/year
- 2-bedroom: SAR 20,000–50,000/year
- 3-bedroom: SAR 30,000–70,000+/year
Tip: Always compare the total annual housing cost. Furnished apartments, compounds and premium locations can be much more expensive.
Utilities, Internet and Mobile
Electricity costs depend heavily on the size of your home and air-conditioning use, particularly during summer.
A reasonable monthly budget is:
- Utilities: SAR 300–1,000+
- Home internet: SAR 250–450
- Mobile: SAR 75–175 per person
For example, stc currently lists fiber and mobile packages within these general ranges.
For a large family or villa, electricity can push monthly utility costs considerably higher.
Groceries and Eating Out
A practical grocery budget is approximately:
- Single: SAR 700–1,200/month
- Couple: SAR 1,200–2,000
- Family of four: SAR 2,000–3,500+
Eating out can be relatively affordable:
- Shawarma/quick meal: SAR 10–25
- Casual restaurant: SAR 25–60/person
- Mid-range restaurant: SAR 50–100+/person
- Coffee: SAR 12–25
Your spending will be much lower if you cook regularly and choose local products instead of imported brands.
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics publishes monthly consumer-price data that can be used to track changes in food and other everyday expenses.
Transportation
Fuel remains relatively affordable compared with many countries.
According to Saudi Aramco's published August 2026 prices:
- Gasoline 91: SAR 2.18/litre
- Gasoline 95: SAR 2.33/litre
- Diesel: SAR 1.79/litre
For example, driving 1,500 km per month in a car averaging 12 km/litre would use about 125 litres, costing approximately SAR 273 in gasoline at the 91-octane price.
Remember that car ownership also includes insurance, maintenance, parking and other costs.
Riyadh residents may also use the city's public transportation network where routes are convenient for their daily commute.
School Fees for Families
- Education can become one of the largest expenses for families.
- International-school fees vary significantly by school, curriculum and grade.
For example, Saud International School in Riyadh publishes 2026/27 tuition ranging from approximately SAR 40,000 to SAR 58,000 per year, depending on grade, before applicable VAT.
Jeddah International School also publishes different fees by grade, demonstrating how widely tuition can vary between schools.
When budgeting for school, also check:
- Registration fees
- Books
- Uniforms
- Transportation
- Activities
- VAT
- Other school charges
Example Monthly Budgets
Single Expat
Riyadh: SAR 6,000–9,500
Jeddah: SAR 5,000–8,000
Dammam/Al Khobar: SAR 4,500–8,000
These figures assume normal accommodation, groceries, utilities, transportation and some entertainment.
Couple
Riyadh: SAR 8,000–13,000
Jeddah: SAR 6,500–10,500
Dammam/Al Khobar: SAR 6,000–9,500
Family of Four
Without expensive private schooling:
Riyadh: SAR 10,000–17,000
Jeddah: SAR 9,000–15,000
Dammam/Al Khobar: SAR 8,000–14,000
Adding two children in international schools can increase the budget by several thousand riyals per month.
Which City Is Best for Your Budget?
Riyadh
Best for: Career opportunities and professionals.
Riyadh can offer strong employment opportunities but usually requires a larger housing budget.
Jeddah
Best for: Families and people looking for a balance between lifestyle and cost.
The city offers a wide range of neighborhoods and housing options.
Dammam/Al Khobar
Best for: Eastern Province professionals, particularly those working in energy and related industries.
Housing can provide good value, although premium parts of Al Khobar are more expensive.
How to Save Money in Saudi Arabia
A few decisions can make a major difference:
- Choose housing close to your workplace.
- Compare furnished and unfurnished apartments.
- Cook more meals at home.
- Compare supermarkets and local brands.
- Calculate the full cost of car ownership, not just fuel.
- Ask your employer about housing and school allowances.
- Check whether family health insurance is included.
- Compare the entire salary package, not just basic salary.
Final Takeaway
Saudi Arabia can be affordable for expats, but your city and employer benefits make a major difference.
Riyadh generally costs more, especially for housing.
Jeddah offers a good balance of lifestyle and affordability.
Dammam and Al Khobar can provide strong value, particularly for Eastern Province professionals.
Before accepting a job offer, calculate your expected rent, transportation, food, schooling and other essential expenses. A lower salary with housing and school allowances can sometimes be worth more than a higher salary without them.
The most important question isn't "What is my salary?" — it's "How much of my salary will I have left after my essential expenses?"