Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 33 ($9) | $15 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 24 ($6) | $8 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 16 ($4.14) | $4.34 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 4.46 ($1.19) | $0.88 | + 35% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 8 ($2.20) | $2.98 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 5.42 ($1.44) | $4.03 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 13 ($3.54) | $6 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 ($2.01) | $3.37 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 3.92 ($1.04) | $1.76 | - 41% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.15 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $14 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 8 ($2.15) | $1.94 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.27 ($0.60) | $2.04 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 50% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,794 ($1,010) | $2,258 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,050 ($545) | $1,625 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 483 ($128) | $177 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 2,701 ($719) | $1,624 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,634 ($435) | $1,156 | - 62% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 298 ($79) | $109 | - 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 156 ($41) | $47 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,376 ($366) | $296 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 406 ($108) | $118 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 30 ($8) | $11 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 29 ($8) | $22 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is 4% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 178 ($47) | $49 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 193 ($51) | $44 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 343 ($91) | $86 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 247 ($66) | $113 | - 42% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 70,182 ($18,675) | $22,916 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 1.52 ($0.40) | $0.75 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 281 ($75) | $80 | - 7% | |
| Personal Care | - 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 12 ($3.12) | $7 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 68 ($18) | $20 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 157 ($42) | $111 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 32 ($8) | $7 | + 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 17 ($4.58) | $3.53 | + 30% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 19 ($5.11) | $5.10 | + 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 7 ($1.98) | $3.57 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 11 ($2.93) | $1.83 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 21 ($5.63) | $22 | - 74% | |
| Entertainment | - 14% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 69 ($18) | $45 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 118 ($31) | $24 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 202 ($54) | $222 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 196 ($52) | $75 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $12 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 14 ($3.71) | $4.84 | - 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $5.81 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 1,883 ($501) | $397 | + 26% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.49 ($0.13) | $0.19 | - 31% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 350 ($93) | $53 | + 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 25 ($7) | $8 | - 17% | |
| TOTAL | - 31% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 44,796 prices entered by 5,728 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 27, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.26609
USD
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 31% cheaper than in United States
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