Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 39 ($10) | $17 | - 40% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 ($8) | $9 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 14 ($3.64) | $5.06 | - 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 6 ($1.63) | $0.99 | + 65% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 12 ($3.10) | $3.33 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 ($1.71) | $4.43 | - 62% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 16 ($4.35) | $7 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 ($2.03) | $3.91 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 4.65 ($1.24) | $1.94 | - 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.28 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $16 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 ($2.34) | $2.25 | + 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 2.95 ($0.79) | $2.46 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 46% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 46% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 3,675 ($980) | $2,514 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 2,836 ($756) | $1,958 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 546 ($145) | $203 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 2,826 ($753) | $1,778 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 1,717 ($458) | $1,342 | - 66% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 658 ($175) | $139 | + 26% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 187 ($50) | $56 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,846 ($492) | $300 | + 64% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 466 ($124) | $135 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 23 ($6) | $12 | - 50% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 65 ($17) | $26 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Saudi Arabia is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ﷼ 164 ($44) | $51 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 175 ($47) | $46 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 458 ($122) | $92 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 398 ($106) | $120 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 55% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 55% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 75,622 ($20,159) | $25,409 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.42 ($0.65) | $1.06 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 81 ($22) | $77 | - 72% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 20 ($5.46) | $7 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 61 ($16) | $19 | - 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 169 ($45) | $125 | - 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 18 ($4.86) | $7 | - 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 17 ($4.43) | $4.17 | + 6% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 ($4.19) | $5.50 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 11 ($2.95) | $4.18 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 11 ($2.81) | $2.05 | + 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 ($9) | $25 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 157 ($42) | $49 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 124 ($33) | $27 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 500 ($133) | $192 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 229 ($61) | $83 | - 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $13 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 22 ($5.96) | $5.19 | + 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $6 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,412 ($643) | $499 | + 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.53 ($0.14) | $0.17 | - 16% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 296 ($79) | $53 | + 50% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 27 ($7) | $9 | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | - 38% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 16,538 prices entered by 2,696 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.26657
USD
/
SAR
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 38% cheaper than in United States
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