Saudi Arabia (SA)

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the world's leading oil producer — a rapidly transforming absolute monarchy embarking on an ambitious Vision 2030 diversification agenda that has already delivered entertainment venues, mixed-gender events, a booming tourism sector, and the Riyadh Metro.

Capital: Riyadh

Region: Middle East

Language: Arabic

Currency: SAR (ر.س)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 60)

Emergency: 911

Cost of Living

Real prices in Saudi Arabia — 2026 data in SAR.

Cost of living index

(100 = NYC reference)

Affordable compared to most Western countries. Good value for the quality of life offered.

Rent

1-bedroom apartment (city) SAR 2,500–5,000/month

2-bedroom apartment (city) SAR 4,000–8,000/month

3-bedroom villa (city) SAR 6,000–15,000/month

3-bedroom villa in compound SAR 8,000–18,000/month (includes amenities)

Luxury compound villa SAR 15,000–30,000/month

Room in shared apartment SAR 800–2,000/month

Food & Groceries

Panda (grocery shop — weekly for 2) SAR 200–350

Carrefour (grocery shop — weekly for 2) SAR 250–400

Chicken breast (1 kg) SAR 15–25

Lamb (1 kg) SAR 40–70

Tomatoes (1 kg) SAR 3–8

Rice basmati (5 kg) SAR 25–50

Dates — Ajwa premium (1 kg) SAR 80–200

Milk (1 litre) SAR 3–6

Bread — local Arabic bread SAR 1–3/pack

Imported cheese (200g) SAR 15–35

Case of bottled water (12×1.5L) SAR 10–18

Dining Out

Kabsa meal at local restaurant SAR 20–50/person

McDonald's / KFC meal SAR 25–45/person

Mid-range restaurant (2 people) SAR 100–250

Fine dining (per person) SAR 150–400

Starbucks coffee SAR 18–25

Fresh juice at local shop SAR 10–20

Shawarma wrap SAR 8–20

Traditional mandi meal (person) SAR 35–70

Transport

Petrol Octane 91 (1 litre) SAR 0.93

Petrol Octane 95 (1 litre) SAR 1.18

Uber (5 km city ride) SAR 10–20

Uber (airport, 35 km) SAR 60–100

Riyadh Metro single fare SAR 3–8

Car park (monthly, city) SAR 200–600

Domestic flight Riyadh–Jeddah SAR 120–500 (budget–business)

Health & Insurance

GP visit (private, with CCHI) SAR 20–100 co-pay

Specialist consultation (with CCHI) SAR 50–200 co-pay

Emergency room visit (with CCHI) SAR 100–500 co-pay

Dental cleaning (private) SAR 300–600

Dental implant SAR 3,000–8,000/tooth

Eyeglasses (standard frames + lenses) SAR 300–1,500

Hospital delivery (normal birth, private) SAR 8,000–20,000

Pharmacy prescription (common) SAR 20–200

Motor insurance (comprehensive, mid-range car) SAR 3,000–6,000/year

Utilities

Electricity bill (apartment, monthly) SAR 100–400 (summer: SAR 400–1,500 for villa)

Water bill (monthly) SAR 50–200

STC Home Fibre internet (100 Mbps) SAR 199/month

STC Home Fibre internet (1 Gbps) SAR 349/month

Mobile plan (STC, 100 GB+) SAR 99–199/month

Netflix Saudi Arabia SAR 37–55/month

STC TV (Jawwy TV basic) SAR 29/month

Childcare

Private nursery (monthly) SAR 1,500–5,000

International school (annual, budget) SAR 20,000–35,000

International school (annual, mid-tier) SAR 35,000–60,000

International school (annual, premium) SAR 60,000–100,000+

School bus (annual) SAR 3,000–8,000

Arabic language class (per course) SAR 2,000–5,000

Private tutor (per hour) SAR 100–300

Leisure

Cinema ticket (AMC/Vox) SAR 35–60

Gym membership (Fitness Time, monthly) SAR 150–350

Golf round (Royal Greens) SAR 250–500

Hotel pool day pass SAR 100–300

Concert ticket (Riyadh Season) SAR 100–2,000+ depending on artist

Formula 1 GP ticket (Jeddah) SAR 500–5,000+ depending on tier

Weekend hotel (4-star Riyadh) SAR 400–800/night

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