Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to Italy
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 35% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 39 (€9) | €17 | - 49% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 (€7) | €11 | - 34% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (€3.86) | €5.51 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 7 (€1.49) | €1.49 | + 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 15 (€3.36) | €4.29 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (€1.38) | €3.61 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 18 (€4.06) | €7 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (€1.81) | €2.45 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.12 (€1.17) | €1.61 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | €1.62 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | €8 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (€2.07) | €2.54 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.80 (€0.87) | €1.43 | - 40% | |
| Housing | + 14% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 14% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 6,743 (€1,540) | €1,450 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,169 (€952) | €911 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 424 (€97) | €155 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,868 (€1,112) | €1,013 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 2,963 (€677) | €724 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 586 (€134) | €143 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 243 (€55) | €26 | + 115% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,135 (€259) | €295 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 499 (€114) | €140 | - 19% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 50 (€12) | €8 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 53 (€12) | €10 | + 15% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 14% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 191 (€44) | €84 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 227 (€52) | €45 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 432 (€99) | €95 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 382 (€87) | €123 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 28% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 28% cheaper than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 62,145 (€14,195) | €28,261 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.29 (€0.52) | €1.77 | - 70% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 156 (€36) | €35 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 6% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 10 (€2.34) | €9 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 106 (€24) | €15 | + 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 265 (€60) | €106 | - 43% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 69 (€16) | €5.64 | + 179% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 29 (€7) | €3.89 | + 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 19 (€4.45) | €3.54 | + 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 13 (€3.03) | €2.04 | + 48% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 15 (€3.53) | €1.73 | + 105% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 35 (€8) | €18 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 19% more expensive than in Italy | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Italy | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 194 (€44) | €41 | + 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 128 (€29) | €17 | + 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 222 (€51) | €73 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 361 (€82) | €62 | + 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | €9 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (€4.11) | €2.56 | + 61% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | €5.15 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,512 (€574) | €677 | - 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.30 (€0.07) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 394 (€90) | €51 | + 76% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 (€5.96) | €5.84 | + 2% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.22842
EUR
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,634 prices entered by 266 different people.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 8% cheaper than in Italy
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