Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is about the same as in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 33 (62元) | 42元 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 24 (46元) | 34元 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 16 (30元) | 15元 | + 92% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 4.46 (9元) | 15元 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 8 (16元) | 13元 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 5.42 (10元) | 8元 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 13 (25元) | 53元 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (14元) | 14元 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 3.92 (7元) | 5.82元 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | 5.36元 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | 103元 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 (15元) | 8元 | + 102% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.27 (4.32元) | 15元 | - 70% | |
| Housing | + 18% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 18% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,794 (7,239元) | 8,839元 | - 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,050 (3,911元) | 4,621元 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 483 (921元) | 386元 | + 139% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 2,701 (5,153元) | 5,293元 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,634 (3,118元) | 3,034元 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 298 (568元) | 280元 | + 103% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 156 (297元) | 87元 | + 240% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,376 (2,625元) | 2,283元 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 406 (775元) | 525元 | + 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 30 (57元) | 38元 | + 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 29 (55元) | 50元 | + 11% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 23% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 178 (340元) | 447元 | - 24% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 193 (368元) | 235元 | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 343 (654元) | 608元 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 247 (471元) | 568元 | - 17% | |
| Transportation | + 80% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 80% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 70,182 (133,910元) | 129,883元 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.52 (2.90元) | 7元 | - 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 281 (536元) | 151元 | + 256% | |
| Personal Care | + 9% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 9% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 12 (22元) | 32元 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 68 (131元) | 34元 | + 286% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 157 (299元) | 357元 | - 16% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 32 (60元) | 40元 | + 52% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 17 (33元) | 50元 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 19 (37元) | 33元 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 7 (14元) | 8元 | + 76% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 11 (21元) | 11元 | + 95% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 (40元) | 74元 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | + 31% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 69 (132元) | 179元 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 118 (225元) | 96元 | + 133% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 202 (386元) | 1,203元 | - 68% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 196 (374元) | 359元 | + 4% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | 67元 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 14 (27元) | 32元 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | 28元 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 1,883 (3,593元) | 3,283元 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.49 (0.93元) | 0.28元 | + 234% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 350 (668元) | 312元 | + 114% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 25 (48元) | 20元 | + 141% | |
| TOTAL | + 29% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,640 prices entered by 434 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.908
CNY
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 29% more expensive than in China
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