Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 39 (74元) | 41元 | + 78% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 (60元) | 38元 | + 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (32元) | 15元 | + 120% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 7 (13元) | 14元 | - 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 15 (28元) | 16元 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (12元) | 10元 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 18 (34元) | 50元 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (15元) | 16元 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.12 (10元) | 6元 | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 7元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 89元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (17元) | 8元 | + 116% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.80 (7元) | 13元 | - 42% | |
| Housing | + 65% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 65% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 6,743 (12,904元) | 11,256元 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,169 (7,979元) | 5,248元 | + 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 424 (812元) | 450元 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,762 (9,113元) | 6,564元 | + 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 2,963 (5,670元) | 3,518元 | + 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 586 (1,121元) | 296元 | + 279% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 243 (465元) | 100元 | + 367% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,135 (2,172元) | 1,460元 | + 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 499 (954元) | 553元 | + 73% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 50 (96元) | 43元 | + 124% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 53 (101元) | 50元 | + 103% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 23% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 191 (365元) | 418元 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 227 (434元) | 302元 | + 44% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 432 (827元) | 553元 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 382 (730元) | 705元 | + 4% | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 62,145 (118,923元) | 137,169元 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.29 (4.38元) | 8元 | - 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 156 (299元) | 228元 | + 31% | |
| Personal Care | + 68% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 68% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 10 (20元) | 45元 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 106 (203元) | 59元 | + 243% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 265 (507元) | 114元 | + 345% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 69 (132元) | 67元 | + 97% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 29 (55元) | 57元 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 19 (37元) | 25元 | + 49% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 13 (25元) | 6元 | + 311% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 15 (30元) | 15元 | + 93% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 35 (68元) | 64元 | + 5% | |
| Entertainment | + 70% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 70% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 194 (371元) | 169元 | + 119% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 128 (244元) | 100元 | + 145% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 222 (425元) | 1,179元 | - 64% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 361 (691元) | 320元 | + 116% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 81元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (34元) | 28元 | + 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,512 (4,807元) | 3,680元 | + 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.30 (0.58元) | 0.34元 | + 74% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 394 (753元) | 394元 | + 91% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (50元) | 25元 | + 102% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.914
CNY
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,255 prices entered by 215 different people.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 44% more expensive than in China
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