Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 46 ($12) | $19 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 32 ($9) | $10 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 19 ($5.18) | $5.95 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 ($1.70) | $1.09 | + 56% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 19 ($4.99) | $4.92 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 7 ($1.77) | $4.81 | - 63% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 23 ($6) | $7 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 ($2.18) | $4.70 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.82 ($1.29) | $2.55 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.06 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $16 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 ($2.24) | $2.74 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.56 ($0.68) | $3.08 | - 78% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,183 ($1,915) | $3,012 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,567 ($1,218) | $2,224 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 1,857 ($495) | $219 | + 126% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,912 ($1,310) | $1,967 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,449 ($919) | $1,475 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 1,201 ($320) | $147 | + 118% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 250 ($67) | $64 | + 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,647 ($439) | $284 | + 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 444 ($118) | $132 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 41 ($11) | $13 | - 19% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 75 ($20) | $30 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 87% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 87% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 263 ($70) | $54 | + 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 386 ($103) | $44 | + 131% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 489 ($131) | $93 | + 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 560 ($149) | $120 | + 25% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 39% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 95,764 ($25,534) | $27,658 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.94 ($0.52) | $1.06 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 162 ($43) | $83 | - 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 15 ($3.93) | $8 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 82 ($22) | $20 | + 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 299 ($80) | $137 | - 42% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 55 ($15) | $8 | + 77% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 36 ($10) | $4.91 | + 96% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 17 ($4.59) | $6 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 11 ($2.95) | $4.81 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 19 ($4.98) | $2.19 | + 127% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 41 ($11) | $27 | - 60% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 208 ($55) | $55 | + 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 105 ($28) | $28 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 439 ($117) | $196 | - 40% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 351 ($93) | $88 | + 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $14 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 ($5.54) | $5.21 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $6 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,704 ($721) | $578 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.38 ($0.10) | $0.20 | - 50% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 248 ($66) | $59 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 23 ($6) | $10 | - 40% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 22,317 prices entered by 2,898 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.26664
USD
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 21% cheaper than in United States
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