Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 39 (70元) | 43元 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 (56元) | 37元 | + 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 14 (24元) | 17元 | + 44% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 5.97 (11元) | 14元 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 12 (21元) | 16元 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (11元) | 9元 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 16 (29元) | 48元 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (14元) | 13元 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.66 (8元) | 6元 | + 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 7元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 97元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (16元) | 9元 | + 69% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.89 (5.16元) | 13元 | - 61% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 8% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,675 (6,555元) | 13,898元 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,836 (5,059元) | 8,379元 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 546 (973元) | 462元 | + 111% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 2,826 (5,041元) | 6,525元 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,717 (3,063元) | 4,376元 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 658 (1,173元) | 516元 | + 127% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 187 (333元) | 140元 | + 137% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,846 (3,293元) | 1,829元 | + 80% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 466 (832元) | 546元 | + 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 23 (41元) | 50元 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 65 (115元) | 66元 | + 74% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 5% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 164 (292元) | 511元 | - 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 175 (312元) | 288元 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 458 (817元) | 654元 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 398 (710元) | 844元 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 12% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 75,622 (134,913元) | 148,501元 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.42 (4.32元) | 8元 | - 48% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | 206元 | - | |
| Personal Care | + 11% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 20 (37元) | 28元 | + 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 61 (108元) | 27元 | + 301% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 169 (301元) | 386元 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 18 (33元) | 30元 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 17 (30元) | 19元 | + 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (28元) | 44元 | - 36% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 8 (15元) | 21元 | - 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 12 (21元) | 16元 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (58元) | 82元 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | + 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 35% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 144 (256元) | 260元 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 124 (221元) | 122元 | + 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 500 (892元) | 417元 | + 114% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 229 (409元) | 319元 | + 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 90元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 (37元) | 31元 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 19元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,412 (4,302元) | 2,968元 | + 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.53 (0.94元) | 0.24元 | + 285% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 296 (528元) | 410元 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (46元) | 38元 | + 24% | |
| TOTAL | + 1% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,565 prices entered by 193 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 21, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.784
CNY
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is about the same as in China
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