Cost of Living in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
Comfortable budget (single)
$2,826/month
Range $1,785–$2,826/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Riyadh?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Riyadh for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$3.5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$5.5
pint at pub
Lunch
$15
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$355
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$79
monthly pass
Gym
$37
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,338–$2,082 | ↓ -15% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $706–$1,115 | ↓ -15% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $56–$108 | ↓ -15% |
| Internet & Mobile | $22–$37 | ↓ -16% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $283–$424 | ↓ -15% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $37–$67 | ↓ -16% |
| Coffee | $3–$4 | ↓ -12% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $71–$86 | ↓ -15% |
| Gym membership | $26–$48 | ↓ -16% |
| Cinema ticket | $10–$13 | ↓ -18% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Riyadh — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,338–$2,082/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$6,360
Buy outside (per m²)
$3,500
Price-to-rent ratio
14×
Avg mortgage rate
5.2%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Riyadh center at ~$6,360/m² with a 25y loan at 5.2% would cost roughly $2,275/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Riyadh. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $3,800 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $6,200 | ✅ Yes |
| Marketing manager | $4,800 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $3,200 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $3,500 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Riyadh.
Utilize the Riyadh Metro for efficient travel across the city, especially around King Abdullah Financial District.
For diverse grocery options and international products, explore hypermarkets like Danube or Carrefour.
Discover local culture and enjoy evenings at Boulevard Riyadh City, known for its entertainment and dining.
Budget scenarios
Single
$1,785–$2,826/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,082/mo
- Groceries: ~$424/mo
- Transport: ~$86/mo
Couple
$2,826–$4,313/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,082/mo
- Groceries: ~$424/mo
- Transport: ~$86/mo
Family
$4,090–$6,321/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,082/mo
- Groceries: ~$424/mo
- Transport: ~$86/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Riyadh Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,673–$2,603/mo
Riyadh Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,472–$2,290/mo
Riyadh Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,070–$1,666/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Vision 2030 projects
- • Salaries
❌ Cons
- • Car culture
- • Heat
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Compare Riyadh with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.