Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 30% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 30% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 46 (88元) | 46元 | + 89% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 32 (61元) | 40元 | + 54% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 19 (37元) | 16元 | + 131% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 (12元) | 18元 | - 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 19 (35元) | 19元 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 7 (13元) | 11元 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 23 (43元) | 63元 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (15元) | 15元 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.82 (9元) | 6元 | + 43% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 7元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 118元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (16元) | 8元 | + 88% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.56 (4.83元) | 16元 | - 71% | |
| Housing | + 55% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 55% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,183 (13,563元) | 15,059元 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,567 (8,624元) | 9,006元 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 1,857 (3,505元) | 421元 | + 732% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,912 (9,275元) | 7,547元 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,449 (6,511元) | 4,347元 | + 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 1,201 (2,268元) | 262元 | + 765% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 250 (472元) | 115元 | + 309% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,647 (3,110元) | 1,143元 | + 172% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 444 (839元) | 589元 | + 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 41 (77元) | 39元 | + 101% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 75 (141元) | 51元 | + 178% | |
| Clothes | + 100% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 100% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 263 (496元) | 529元 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 386 (729元) | 248元 | + 194% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 489 (924元) | 626元 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 560 (1,058元) | 828元 | + 28% | |
| Transportation | + 16% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 16% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 95,764 (180,818元) | 161,247元 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.94 (3.67元) | 9元 | - 57% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 162 (306元) | 204元 | + 51% | |
| Personal Care | + 79% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 79% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 15 (28元) | 39元 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 82 (154元) | 27元 | + 475% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 299 (564元) | 391元 | + 44% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 55 (103元) | 53元 | + 96% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 36 (68元) | 33元 | + 106% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 17 (33元) | 34元 | - 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 11 (21元) | 13元 | + 58% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 (35元) | 15元 | + 139% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 41 (78元) | 74元 | + 5% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 47% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 208 (392元) | 265元 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 105 (198元) | 110元 | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 439 (829元) | 1,294元 | - 36% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 351 (662元) | 348元 | + 90% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 79元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 (39元) | 29元 | + 33% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 18元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,704 (5,106元) | 3,321元 | + 54% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.38 (0.71元) | 0.20元 | + 255% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 248 (468元) | 410元 | + 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 23 (43元) | 24元 | + 79% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,755 prices entered by 219 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.888
CNY
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 44% more expensive than in China
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