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Cost of living in Saudi Arabia in 2026 in dollars and euros
Do you want to know what is the cost of living in Saudi Arabia? Here we’ve prepared a complete guide with prices and monthly budget.
If you’re planning to move to Saudi Arabia, you should know the cost of living before arriving. Therefore, we’ve created this guide, where we clearly explain how much you could spend each month on the main factors that affect your quality of life.
We’ll take a full look at the cost of rent, the budget for grocery shopping in a traditional supermarket, health expenses as a foreigner, and the cost of transport. We’ll also review the cost of fixed and mobile internet plans, along with a few leisure activities, so you get a more realistic view of daily life. Let’s go!
Average accommodation costs in Saudi Arabia
Choosing accommodation in Saudi Arabia usually means balancing location and budget. Central areas or places near financial districts usually cost more, while outlying neighbourhoods offer more affordable options.
However, in both areas, you can find homes well suited to comfortable living or spending time in the country, especially in the main cities. In the table below, you’ll find a price range for the most common accommodation types in Saudi Arabia.
| Type of accommodation in Saudi Arabia | Price range in USD and EUR | Description |
| Furnished apartments per month (from 1 to 3 bedrooms) | Between $1,000 and $3,500 (€900 and €3,200) per month. | Ideal for long stays, as it’s more affordable than Airbnb. |
| Airbnb per night | Between $1,800 and $2,500 (€1,650 and €2,300) | This option works better for short or medium-term stays, as long-term costs become high. |
| 3-star hotels per night | Between $90 and $120 (€85 and €115) | This option helps you settle in for a few days while you look for better accommodation. |
| Coliving per month | Between $700 and $1,200 (€650–1,100) per month. | This is the best option for students, digital nomads, and workers, as they find workspaces, social areas, rest areas, and bedrooms in one place. |
Cost of food
To buy food weekly or monthly, you have several international supermarket chains, such as Carrefour or Lulu, where you’ll find a wide range of local products and goods from other parts of the world. It’s best to compare different supermarkets and look for the best deals.
However, to give you an idea of what some products might cost, here’s a list with approximate prices. Keep in mind that these can change between supermarkets and cities.
- Milk (1 litre): Between $1.60 and $2.15 (€1.50 and €2)
- Eggs (12 units): Between $2.50 and $3.70 (€2.30 and €3.40)
- White bread (500 g): Between $1.00 and $1.20 (€0.90 and €1.10)
- Rice (1 kg): Between $2.30 and $4.00 (€2.10 and €3.70)
- Beef (1 kg): Between $13.90 and $18.90 (€12.70 and €17.20)
- Chicken (1 kg): Between $7.10 and $9.30 (€6.50 and €8.40)
- Apples (1 kg): Between $2.20 and $2.50 (€2.00 and €2.30)
- Tomatoes (1 kg): Between $1.60 and $1.85 (€1.40 and €1.70)
- Bottled water (1.5 L): Between $0.50 and $0.60 (€0.45 and €0.55)
How much does eating out cost?
You can also choose to eat out, although you should know that prices are high compared with cooking your own meals. In this section, we show what breakfast, lunch, and dinner might cost in a mid-range restaurant in Saudi Arabia.
- Breakfast: Usually includes Arabic bread or toast, eggs, cheese, vegetables, and a hot or cold drink, costing from $5 to $8 (€4-7).
- Lunch: Rice is a main part of lunch, so you’ll almost always find it served with protein, salad, bread, and water or another drink. The price ranges from $7 to $13 (€6 and €12).
- Dinner: The last meal of the day costs a bit more and usually includes a starter with traditional Arabic food, a main course with protein, dessert, and a drink. The cost ranges from $15 to $30 (€13 and €26).
Transport prices in Saudi Arabia
The country offers different means of transport, including the metro, tram, and urban buses. However, in some cities, bus services still need improvement, so buses and taxis remain the most effective way to get around.
For example, a single metro ticket in a city like Riyadh costs around $1.07 (€1.01), while a 2-hour first-class pass may cost $2.67 (€2.52). A monthly pass can be cheaper overall, as it may cost between $37 and $45 (€35 and €42).
Buses usually cost less, ranging between $0.80 and $1.20 (€0.75 and €1.15). Residents also take taxis for short trips when they’re in a hurry, which may cost around $2.70 (€2.55) as the starting fare and from $1.35 (€1.25) per kilometre travelled.
As for private transport services, you have apps like Uber and Careem, which is similar to Uber, but offers more services and enjoys greater trust among Saudis.
These services charge slightly higher fares, as a journey of around 5 to 10 km may cost between $6 and $10 (€5.50 and €9.50), although prices usually change depending on the time of day and demand. You can also rent a bicycle with monthly payments between $22 and $30 (€20 and €28), depending on the bike you choose.
How much does a car and its upkeep cost in Saudi Arabia?
In Saudi Arabia, a wide range of vehicles travels the streets and avenues. Residents often prefer saloon cars, such as the Toyota Camry, which costs between $28,000 and $36,000 (€26,500 and €34,000) on the market, or the Toyota Yaris, which costs around $17,000 and $20,200 (€16,000 and €19,000), depending on the version you choose.
In addition, you should calculate your monthly fuel costs, keeping in mind that a gallon of petrol in Saudi Arabia costs $2.35 (€2), according to the Global Petrol Prices website.
If your vehicle is electric, the price to charge it at home is $0.053 (€0.048) per kWh, while at public stations it costs between $0.12 and $0.20 (€0.11-0.19) per kWh.
Finally, to drive in Saudi Arabia, you’ll need standard compulsory insurance, and the monthly or yearly cost depends on your age, the type of vehicle you own, whether it runs on petrol or electricity, and other factors.
However, to help you plan a realistic budget, the annual cost may start from $250 (€235), although it can be higher depending on the policy your car needs. Fully comprehensive insurance usually costs between $800 and $1,500 (€690 and €1,300) per year.
Healthcare costs
The Arab country has a public healthcare system that provides free care only to its citizens. In the case of foreigners, they must have private health insurance to cover medical expenses in an emergency or for routine consultations.
You’ll only be able to access public healthcare services in extremely urgent cases, but your insurance will still be charged.
If your insurance doesn’t manage to cover any of the treatments you receive, you must pay for them out of pocket, so it’s important to know the cost of each medical service in Saudi Arabia. This way, you’ll be prepared or able to choose your health insurance cover more wisely.
- Basic private health insurance cost: This option covers basic medical expenses and costs between $800 and $1,300 (€740 and €1,200) per person each year.
- Comprehensive private health insurance cost: It offers a higher budget for medical expenses and covers hospital stays, specialist appointments, or treatment at the country’s best clinics. Prices start from $2,000 (€1,850) per person each year.
Approximate costs of medical services and over-the-counter medicines in Saudi Arabia
| Medical service | Price in USD and EUR |
| Hospitalisation per night | Between $450 and $900 (€420 and €830) |
| Consultation with a GP | Between $45 and $90 (€42 and €85) |
| Dental cleaning appointment | Between $50 and $100 (€47 and €94) |
| Appointment with a specialist | Between $100 and $270 (€90 and €250) |
| Cost of surgery (depending on complexity) | Between $4,500 and $8,500 (€4,000 and €7,800) |
Now, we’ll show you the prices of over-the-counter medicines in the country, which you can buy without a prescription by simply visiting a regular pharmacy.
- Box of Paracetamol, 24 tablets: Between $3.50 and $5 (€3.30 and €4.70)
- Cough syrup: Between $5 and $9 (€4.70 and €8.50).
- Ibuprofen, 20 tablets: Between $3.40 and $6.70 (€3.20 and €6.30)
- Packet of stomach antacids: Between $5.50 and $9 (€5.20 and €8.50)
- Oral rehydration sachet: Between $0.80 and $1.50 (€0.75 and €1.40).
Internet and call plan prices
Home internet providers in Saudi Arabia offer fibre-optic and unlimited plans, usually with contracts lasting from 1 to 2 years.
The cost varies depending on download speed. For example: A basic speed of between 100 and 200 Mbps may cost $75 to $95 (€71-90) per month, while an ultra speed of 1 Gbps may cost $210 or $260 (€198 or €245).
As for mobile services, companies usually offer plans ranging from basic packages with at least 30 GB and 1,000 minutes to call other mobiles, for around $27 (€25) per month, up to a premium plan with unlimited data and calls for around $92 (€85) per month.
If you prefer to install an international eSIM, you can choose the monthly plans offered by Holafly, which include 25 GB or unlimited data, and also allow you to connect several devices to your internet, which is useful if you work remotely. Also, you can travel to more than 170 destinations with any of the plans, as they offer global coverage.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Cost of leisure activities in Saudi Arabia
The country offers tourism based on its architecture, with mega-buildings and historic structures that UNESCO has even recognised as World Heritage Sites. Below, we’ll tell you what plans you can enjoy in the country.
- Visit Diriyah, the original home of the Al Saud royal family. The citadel is architecturally enriched with restorations and adaptations that create an experience similar to an open-air museum. Entry costs between $13 and $53 (€12 and €50), and part of that amount may be redeemable in local shops.
- Visit Kingdom Centre Tower, the most important skyscraper in Riyadh, which stands 300 metres tall. Its shape, similar to a bottle opener, catches visitors’ attention. Entry costs between $18 and $20 (€17 and €19) per person.
- Walk around Boulevard City, recognised as the country’s entertainment hub. It follows the concept of one city inside another, where you can see replicas of places such as New York’s Times Square and other iconic structures from other countries. There, you’ll find amusement parks and concert areas. Entry may be free on some days, but you must book in advance. However, attractions cost from $10 to $35 (€9 and €33) approximately.
Leisure activities
Other plans, such as going to the cinema, may cost between $15 and $22 per person (€14 and €21), while a theatre seat may cost from $50 (€47) upwards. Going out for a speciality coffee, which is a common plan in the country, usually costs between $6 and $10 (€5 and €8.60).
If you prefer staying at home, you could subscribe to a streaming service such as Netflix or Shahid, which is a well-known local platform, and it may cost between $8 and $16 per month (€7.50 and €15).
How much does it cost to live in Saudi Arabia?
Calculating the cost of living in this Middle Eastern country depends mainly on each person’s or family’s lifestyle, as well as factors such as where they live and how they eat. Even so, we’ve estimated a monthly amount that could cover all your basic expenses, including leisure, or give you some room to save.
A single person is expected to spend between $1,800 and $2,800 (€1,650 and €2,600) per month. This assumes simple accommodation, such as a room in a shared house or a coliving space.
Likewise, a couple needs a monthly budget of between $2,800 and $4,200 (€2,600 and €3,900), living in an apartment with up to 2 bedrooms and covering all other expenses.
Finally, for a family of 4 , housing costs rise considerably, along with education and the leisure and entertainment expenses needed for children’s wellbeing. This may cost between $4,500 and $7,000 (€4,200 and €6,500) per month.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in Saudi Arabia
Some cities in Saudi Arabia, such as Dammam, Jeddah, Jubail, or Yanbu, offer a stable quality of life at a lower cost, without giving up the wellbeing that other major cities, such as the capital Riyadh, usually provide.
No, in Saudi Arabia, the consumption, possession, and sale of alcohol and other intoxicants are prohibited. It’s only allowed for certain diplomats. However, this law follows religious reasons and applies to both Saudi citizens and foreigners. If you don’t comply, you could face imprisonment, deportation, or even a fine.
No, foreign residents in the country must choose international schools for their children, as public education is intended for Saudi citizens.
Housing is the highest expense you must take on when moving to Saudi Arabia. However, everything depends on the location and the type of accommodation you choose.
