Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 37% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 25 ($7) | $15 | - 56% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 26 ($7) | $8 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 15 ($4.03) | $4.26 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 4.95 ($1.32) | $0.87 | + 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 9 ($2.42) | $2.88 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 ($1.61) | $4.18 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 15 ($3.92) | $6 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 7 ($1.93) | $3.44 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.05 ($1.08) | $1.76 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.11 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $14 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 ($2.27) | $1.99 | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.59 ($0.69) | $2.19 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 47% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,176 ($847) | $2,194 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,042 ($544) | $1,576 | - 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 840 ($224) | $179 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 1,908 ($509) | $1,541 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,241 ($331) | $1,143 | - 71% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 391 ($104) | $113 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 206 ($55) | $52 | + 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,121 ($299) | $270 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 401 ($107) | $127 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 22 ($5.82) | $11 | - 46% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 28 ($8) | $22 | - 66% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is about the same as in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 155 ($41) | $47 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 168 ($45) | $43 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 346 ($92) | $86 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 294 ($78) | $107 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | - 50% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 81,487 ($21,729) | $23,539 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.75 ($0.47) | $0.66 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 80 ($21) | $73 | - 71% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 10 ($2.74) | $7 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 59 ($16) | $16 | - 3% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 117 ($31) | $111 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 16 ($4.34) | $7 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 18 ($4.73) | $3.46 | + 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 17 ($4.45) | $4.84 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 8 ($2.15) | $3.66 | - 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 12 ($3.13) | $1.81 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 23 ($6) | $22 | - 73% | |
| Entertainment | - 20% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 75 ($20) | $46 | - 57% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 117 ($31) | $25 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 250 ($67) | $200 | - 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 141 ($38) | $78 | - 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $12 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 13 ($3.39) | $4.94 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $5.64 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,016 ($538) | $425 | + 27% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.53 ($0.14) | $0.25 | - 43% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 303 ($81) | $49 | + 64% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 26 ($7) | $8 | - 16% | |
| TOTAL | - 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 12, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.26666
USD
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 33,192 prices entered by 4,309 different people.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 41% cheaper than in United States
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