Cost of living in Saudi Arabia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Saudi Arabia is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ﷼ 37 ($10) | $21 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ﷼ 31 ($8) | $12 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ﷼ 17 ($4.62) | $5.86 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ﷼ 7 ($1.79) | $1.11 | + 62% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ﷼ 14 ($3.70) | $5.48 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ﷼ 6 ($1.66) | $4.85 | - 66% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ﷼ 17 ($4.63) | $7 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ﷼ 8 ($2.09) | $4.32 | - 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ﷼ 5.25 ($1.40) | $2.34 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | - | $3.50 | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | - | $18 | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ﷼ 9 ($2.40) | $2.94 | - 18% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ﷼ 3.95 ($1.05) | $3.09 | - 66% | |
| Housing | - 37% | |||
| Housing in Saudi Arabia is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ﷼ 7,072 ($1,885) | $3,187 | - 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ﷼ 4,312 ($1,150) | $2,455 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ﷼ 431 ($115) | $230 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ﷼ 4,885 ($1,302) | $2,236 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ﷼ 3,120 ($832) | $1,659 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ﷼ 646 ($172) | $167 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ﷼ 243 ($65) | $62 | + 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ﷼ 1,135 ($303) | $247 | + 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 499 ($133) | $152 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ﷼ 50 ($13) | $15 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ﷼ 53 ($14) | $35 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| 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) | ﷼ 191 ($51) | $59 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ﷼ 227 ($61) | $51 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 432 ($115) | $105 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ﷼ 382 ($102) | $141 | - 28% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Saudi Arabia is 47% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ﷼ 62,145 ($16,568) | $30,967 | - 46% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ﷼ 2.27 ($0.61) | $0.94 | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ﷼ 156 ($42) | $86 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in Saudi Arabia is 22% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ﷼ 11 ($2.84) | $9 | - 68% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ﷼ 141 ($38) | $24 | + 54% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ﷼ 272 ($73) | $169 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ﷼ 69 ($18) | $9 | + 96% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ﷼ 20 ($5.46) | $5.31 | + 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ﷼ 16 ($4.28) | $7 | - 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ﷼ 12 ($3.14) | $5.13 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ﷼ 16 ($4.18) | $2.42 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ﷼ 33 ($9) | $30 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in Saudi Arabia is 24% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Saudi Arabia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ﷼ 194 ($52) | $60 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ﷼ 128 ($34) | $30 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ﷼ 222 ($59) | $216 | - 73% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ﷼ 424 ($113) | $104 | + 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $15 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ﷼ 18 ($4.82) | $5.91 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | - | $8 | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ﷼ 2,512 ($670) | $489 | + 37% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ﷼ 0.30 ($0.08) | $0.55 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ﷼ 436 ($116) | $73 | + 60% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ﷼ 25 ($7) | $11 | - 41% | |
| TOTAL | - 36% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 28, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.26660
USD
/
SAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,735 prices entered by 2,017 different people.
Cost of living in Saudi Arabia is 36% cheaper than in United States
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