Cost of living in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 21% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 961 prices entered by 260 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 12% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 84 (Dirham 83) | Dirham 47 | + 76% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 32 (Dirham 31) | Dirham 31 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 15 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 5.63 (Dirham 5.51) | Dirham 7 | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 9 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 15 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (Dirham 5.88) | Dirham 4.96 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 30 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 8 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.98 (Dirham 4.88) | Dirham 3.82 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | Dirham 10 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | Dirham 65 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 8 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.71 (Dirham 2.65) | Dirham 4.40 | - 40% | |
| Housing | + 7% | |||
| Housing in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 7% more expensive 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 | ﷼ 11,448 (Dirham 11,207) | Dirham 9,249 | + 21% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 5,308 (Dirham 5,197) | Dirham 4,987 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 1,640 (Dirham 1,605) | Dirham 834 | + 92% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,259 (Dirham 4,170) | Dirham 5,418 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,898 (Dirham 3,816) | Dirham 3,582 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 962 (Dirham 942) | Dirham 646 | + 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 250 (Dirham 245) | Dirham 296 | - 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 2,080 (Dirham 2,036) | Dirham 789 | + 158% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 424 (Dirham 415) | Dirham 341 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 33 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 42 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 30 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 37 | - 21% | |
| Clothes | + 28% | |||
| Clothes in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 28% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 219 (Dirham 215) | Dirham 261 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 328 (Dirham 321) | Dirham 205 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 317 (Dirham 310) | Dirham 342 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 510 (Dirham 499) | Dirham 392 | + 27% | |
| Transportation | + 59% | |||
| Transportation in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is 59% more expensive 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 | ﷼ 89,402 (Dirham 87,521) | Dirham 115,445 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.33 (Dirham 2.28) | Dirham 2.78 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 556 (Dirham 544) | Dirham 278 | + 96% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ﷼ 47 (Dirham 46) | Dirham 50 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | - 1% | |||
| Personal Care in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) is about the same as in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Riyadh | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 6) | Dirham 22 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 70 (Dirham 69) | Dirham 37 | + 85% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 188 (Dirham 184) | Dirham 241 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 23 | + 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 20 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 16 | + 28% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 15 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 20 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 7 (Dirham 7) | Dirham 12 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 22 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 15 | + 41% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 26 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 40 | - 36% | |
| 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 | ﷼ 152 (Dirham 148) | Dirham 174 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 102 (Dirham 100) | Dirham 100 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 436 (Dirham 427) | Dirham 234 | + 82% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 302 (Dirham 296) | Dirham 407 | - 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | Dirham 95 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 19 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 24 | - 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | Dirham 41 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,406 (Dirham 2,355) | Dirham 2,079 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.42 (Dirham 0.42) | Dirham 0.50 | - 16% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 341 (Dirham 334) | Dirham 276 | + 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 24 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 18 | + 30% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 21% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 961 prices entered by 260 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 03, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.979
AED
/
SAR
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For example, you would need at least Dirham 33,845 (﷼ 34,572) in Riyadh to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Dirham 28,000 in Dubai.
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