Cost of living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia vs Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Currency:
Food | - 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 32% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 35 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 60 | - 43% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 27 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 28 | - 7% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 22 | - 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 4.72 (Dirham 4.62) | Dirham 8 | - 42% | |
12 eggs, large | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 16 | - 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 7 | - 15% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 30 | - 51% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 10 | - 29% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 3.65 (Dirham 3.58) | Dirham 5.21 | - 31% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 12 | - | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 109 | - | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | + 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.00 (Dirham 1.96) | Dirham 4.63 | - 58% | |
Housing | - 28% | |||
Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 28% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 5,361 (Dirham 5,250) | Dirham 7,454 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,590 (Dirham 2,536) | Dirham 4,757 | - 47% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 1,028 (Dirham 1,007) | Dirham 685 | + 47% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 3,336 (Dirham 3,266) | Dirham 5,137 | - 36% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 2,061 (Dirham 2,018) | Dirham 3,194 | - 37% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 467 (Dirham 458) | Dirham 358 | + 28% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 162 (Dirham 159) | Dirham 261 | - 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,017 (Dirham 996) | Dirham 979 | + 2% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 350 (Dirham 343) | Dirham 394 | - 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 23) | Dirham 37 | - 37% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 28 (Dirham 27) | Dirham 32 | - 13% | |
Clothes | - 24% | |||
Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 24% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 105 (Dirham 103) | Dirham 212 | - 51% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 168 (Dirham 165) | Dirham 205 | - 20% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 311 (Dirham 304) | Dirham 335 | - 9% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 315 (Dirham 308) | Dirham 397 | - 22% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 30% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 83,535 (Dirham 81,796) | Dirham 91,289 | - 10% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.50 (Dirham 1.47) | Dirham 2.11 | - 30% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 174 (Dirham 171) | Dirham 262 | - 35% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 60 | - 51% | |
Personal Care | - 29% | |||
Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 29% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 21 | - 52% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 59 (Dirham 58) | Dirham 51 | + 13% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 125 (Dirham 122) | Dirham 266 | - 54% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 18 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 23 | - 22% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 18 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 18 | - 1% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 21 | - 19% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 5.12 (Dirham 5.01) | Dirham 12 | - 58% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 16 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 13 | + 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 25 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 81 | - 70% | |
Entertainment | - 29% | |||
Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 29% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 91 (Dirham 89) | Dirham 187 | - 52% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 112 (Dirham 109) | Dirham 82 | + 33% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 393 (Dirham 385) | Dirham 444 | - 13% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 175 (Dirham 172) | Dirham 380 | - 55% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 73 | - | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 24 | - 39% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 55 | - | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 1,602 (Dirham 1,569) | Dirham 1,778 | - 12% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.45 (Dirham 0.44) | Dirham 0.71 | - 37% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 281 (Dirham 275) | Dirham 358 | - 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 18 | + 31% | |
TOTAL | - 29% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.979
AED
/
SAR
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Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 29% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 22,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 15,566 (﷼ 15,897) in Riyadh.
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