Cost of living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia compared to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Currency:
| Food | - 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 30% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 25 | - 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ﷼ 20 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 26 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 11 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 4.36 (Dirham 4.27) | Dirham 8 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 11 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 6 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 11 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 15 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 8 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 3.46 (Dirham 3.39) | Dirham 9 | - 62% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 9 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 48 | - | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 7 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.45 (Dirham 2.40) | Dirham 4.56 | - 47% | |
| Housing | - 70% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 70% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ﷼ 3,383 (Dirham 3,313) | Dirham 13,583 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ﷼ 2,356 (Dirham 2,307) | Dirham 11,205 | - 79% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 132 (Dirham 129) | Dirham 260 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ﷼ 1,820 (Dirham 1,782) | Dirham 7,278 | - 76% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ﷼ 1,324 (Dirham 1,296) | Dirham 5,409 | - 76% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ﷼ 66 (Dirham 65) | Dirham 130 | - 50% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 154 (Dirham 151) | Dirham 294 | - 49% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ﷼ 1,146 (Dirham 1,122) | Dirham 1,644 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 355 (Dirham 348) | Dirham 482 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 31 (Dirham 30) | Dirham 31 | - 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 31 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 41 | - 26% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 4% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 199 (Dirham 195) | Dirham 231 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ﷼ 228 (Dirham 223) | Dirham 196 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 325 (Dirham 318) | Dirham 329 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 303 (Dirham 297) | Dirham 355 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | + 35% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 35% more expensive than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 60,000 (Dirham 58,757) | Dirham 76,866 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 0.63 (Dirham 0.62) | Dirham 1.81 | - 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 200 (Dirham 196) | Dirham 80 | + 145% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 25 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 39 | - 38% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 40% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 21 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 42 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 65 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 107 (Dirham 105) | Dirham 283 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ﷼ 36 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 25 | + 42% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 14 | + 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 13 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 20 | - 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 9 | - 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 17 | - 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 51 | - 59% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 16% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 97 (Dirham 95) | Dirham 223 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 200 (Dirham 196) | Dirham 70 | + 180% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 165 (Dirham 161) | Dirham 368 | - 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 100 (Dirham 98) | Dirham 150 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 66 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 11 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 15 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 30 | - | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ﷼ 2,368 (Dirham 2,319) | Dirham 2,228 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.45 (Dirham 0.44) | Dirham 0.38 | + 16% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 327 (Dirham 320) | Dirham 371 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 10 | - 2% | |
| TOTAL | - 40% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.979
AED
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,015 prices entered by 452 different people.
Do you live in Abu Dhabi? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Morelia is 62% cheaper than in Portland
- Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 52% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Davao is 66% cheaper than in Honolulu
- Cost of living in Melbourne is 13% cheaper than in Sydney
- Cost of living in Berlin is 33% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Tokyo is 93% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur
- Cost of living in Vancouver is about the same as in Toronto
- Cost of living in Brisbane is about the same as in Melbourne
- Cost of living in London is 6% cheaper than in New York
- Cost of living in London is 14% more expensive than in Paris
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kochi (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dammam (Saudi Arabia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Hyderabad (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Baghdad (Iraq)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ankara (Turkey)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ahmedabad (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Islamabad (Pakistan)
Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 40% cheaper than in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
Dirham 41,000
in Abu Dhabi
you would need to make just about Dirham 24,654
(﷼ 25,175)
in Riyadh.
Recent Prices Added
- Public transport in Melbourne costs AU$30 (less than a minute ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Suzhou costs 元120 (3 minutes ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania costs $15 (6 minutes ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Brisbane costs AU$250 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 kg of boneless chicken breast in Tijuana costs Mex$ 63 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota costs $1,325 (about 2 hours ago)