Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 23% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 744 prices entered by 209 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 18% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 32 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 50 | - 38% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 34 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 16 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 20 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 5.91) | Dirham 6 | - 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 13 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 13 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 7 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 28 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.99 (Dirham 4.88) | Dirham 5.46 | - 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 8 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 60 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.91 (Dirham 3.83) | Dirham 4.78 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 21% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 8,226 (Dirham 8,047) | Dirham 9,520 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,087 (Dirham 3,998) | Dirham 6,163 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 569 (Dirham 557) | Dirham 916 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,270 (Dirham 4,178) | Dirham 7,078 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 2,941 (Dirham 2,877) | Dirham 4,659 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 493 (Dirham 482) | Dirham 627 | - 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 258 (Dirham 253) | Dirham 215 | + 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,580 (Dirham 1,545) | Dirham 687 | + 125% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 509 (Dirham 498) | Dirham 303 | + 64% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 36 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 40 | - 12% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 46 (Dirham 45) | Dirham 35 | + 28% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 9% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 182 (Dirham 178) | Dirham 202 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 213 (Dirham 209) | Dirham 176 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 396 (Dirham 387) | Dirham 361 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 324 (Dirham 317) | Dirham 313 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 43% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 94,922 (Dirham 92,861) | Dirham 94,350 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.28 (Dirham 2.23) | Dirham 2.97 | - 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 142 (Dirham 139) | Dirham 324 | - 57% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 61 (Dirham 60) | Dirham 51 | + 16% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 12% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 24 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 75 (Dirham 73) | Dirham 73 | + 0% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 189 (Dirham 185) | Dirham 326 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 25 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 23 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 22 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 17 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 20 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 10 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 11 | - 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 14 | + 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 43 | - 24% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 6% cheaper than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 210 (Dirham 205) | Dirham 174 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 123 (Dirham 120) | Dirham 100 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 308 (Dirham 301) | Dirham 275 | + 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 218 (Dirham 213) | Dirham 461 | - 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 89 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 23 | - 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 43 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,618 (Dirham 2,561) | Dirham 2,003 | + 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.40 (Dirham 0.39) | Dirham 0.61 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 395 (Dirham 386) | Dirham 267 | + 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 19 | + 37% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 744 prices entered by 209 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 11, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.978
AED
/
SAR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require Dirham 31,000 in Dubai you would need to make just about Dirham 23,852 (﷼ 24,382) in Riyadh.
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