Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to Norway
Currency:
| Food | - 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 48% cheaper than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 37 (kr 103) | kr 256 | - 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 (kr 86) | kr 149 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 (kr 48) | kr 84 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 7 (kr 19) | kr 26 | - 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 14 (kr 38) | kr 55 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 (kr 17) | kr 47 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 17 (kr 48) | kr 110 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 (kr 22) | kr 35 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.25 (kr 15) | kr 24 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | kr 40 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | kr 208 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 (kr 25) | kr 37 | - 32% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.95 (kr 11) | kr 34 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 8% cheaper than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,072 (kr 19,528) | kr 21,254 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,312 (kr 11,906) | kr 17,203 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 431 (kr 1,190) | kr 2,142 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,885 (kr 13,489) | kr 13,755 | - 2% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,120 (kr 8,615) | kr 12,245 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 646 (kr 1,784) | kr 2,842 | - 37% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 243 (kr 671) | kr 221 | + 204% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,135 (kr 3,135) | kr 5,761 | - 46% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 499 (kr 1,377) | kr 1,834 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 50 (kr 139) | kr 118 | + 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 53 (kr 145) | kr 433 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 14% cheaper than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 191 (kr 527) | kr 1,089 | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 227 (kr 627) | kr 488 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 432 (kr 1,193) | kr 1,236 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 382 (kr 1,053) | kr 1,507 | - 30% | |
| Transportation | - 48% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 48% cheaper than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 62,145 (kr 171,600) | kr 366,308 | - 53% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.27 (kr 6) | kr 22 | - 72% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 156 (kr 431) | kr 755 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 22% more expensive than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 11 (kr 29) | kr 65 | - 55% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 141 (kr 389) | kr 107 | + 264% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 272 (kr 752) | kr 659 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 69 (kr 190) | kr 50 | + 280% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 20 (kr 57) | kr 42 | + 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 (kr 44) | kr 41 | + 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 12 (kr 32) | kr 52 | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 16 (kr 43) | kr 29 | + 50% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 (kr 92) | kr 481 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 11% more expensive than in Norway | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | Norway | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 194 (kr 535) | kr 481 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 128 (kr 352) | kr 339 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 222 (kr 614) | kr 800 | - 23% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 424 (kr 1,171) | kr 946 | + 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | kr 163 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 (kr 50) | kr 59 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | kr 96 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,512 (kr 6,936) | kr 6,879 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.30 (kr 0.84) | kr 1.11 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 436 (kr 1,205) | kr 572 | + 111% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 25 (kr 69) | kr 143 | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,109 prices entered by 225 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 28, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.761
NOK
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 24% cheaper than in Norway
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